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Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

rfpose.csail.mit.edu

71–80 of 180 posts

Re: Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

#71
post #47

Finally, a legit purpose for my tinfoil hat!

I know you're joking, but that's an interesting idea... I wonder how would the system "see" your head then? Unless it is trained on people wearing tinfoil hats (and aluminium suits) it might produce interesting results.

Re: Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

#73

I've noticed, recently, that literally every major chain store I go into blocks my cell signal. I get full bars outside, perfect LTE, and about 5 ft past the glass doors, I'm suddenly cut off. Specifically, Meijer grocery stores and Home Depot are the worst offenders. Coincidentally they offer free in store WiFi to track me with, so I turn off my wifi radio on both smartphone and smartwatch before walking in the door…

I've noticed this, but my thought is that it is just the natural faraday cage created by having a cement building filled with metal shelves. Combine that with towers transitioning to use LTE over 3G and you get reduced coverage indoors in large buildings.

Re: Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

#74
post #46
post #7

With this paper our last shreds of privacy are being taken away, but they presented the news with nice background music, so there's that.

Meh, that seems a little sensationalist. Any significant metal would likely throw this in a loop. You could even buy paint with graphite in it to block weak RF signals outright. IIRC most military bases and data centers protect against this sort of leakage.

The potential for open/outdoor spaces is scary though. Radio "CCTVs" that see everyone over a large area.

Re: Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

#75

In a 5-4 decision in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyllo_v._United_States , the SCOTUS determined that police can't use thermal imaging on a house without a search warrant. I wonder what the vote would have been if the justices could have seen videos like this.

FWIW, I don't think the cops were using thermal imaging to detect humans within a house - they were using it to detect abnormally high heat - from high temperature lamps used to grow pot. Originally they'd talk to the power company to see who is drawing irregularly high levels of power, but the growers started using diesel power generators to power their grow lights.

Re: Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

#76
post #32
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe SWAT can use this to validate that it's actually the right house when serving a no-knock warrant. I'm cynical enough to feel like there's no way this is good for any of their targets, though. Edit: Kolpa makes a really good point! This seems like a really good counter to SWATting, where the claim is that someone is holding hostages or something -- this could pretty effectively demonstrate that to be false if th…

No possible improvement to a SWAT team is ever good for a target. But I think this will prevent false positives a bit. Knowing the posture and stance of the people inside a room can help with where you aim as you go in.

I'd be more afraid that they'd "fear for their lives" at every broomstick and fishing pole they saw through a wall and would start shooting before they even got to the door.

Re: Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

#77
post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a rather unfortunate coincidence, isn't it? Certainly it's not their fault that their buildings just happen to be constructed in such a way, and their products arranged such that it blocks signal causing customers to not be able to compare prices and have to use their approved internet connection. /s I see this in the Targets in my town. I just expect signal to drop to zero.

My Lowe's and Home Depot both have free Wifi. I use it all the time to use their app or site to find the location of items in store (obv. can't talk to humans).

Target (specifically mentioned by the parent) in my town also offers free WiFi.

Re: Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

#78
post #32
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe SWAT can use this to validate that it's actually the right house when serving a no-knock warrant. I'm cynical enough to feel like there's no way this is good for any of their targets, though. Edit: Kolpa makes a really good point! This seems like a really good counter to SWATting, where the claim is that someone is holding hostages or something -- this could pretty effectively demonstrate that to be false if th…

No possible improvement to a SWAT team is ever good for a target. But I think this will prevent false positives a bit. Knowing the posture and stance of the people inside a room can help with where you aim as you go in.

This. It's quite possible that if it looks like you're holding something, they'll just shoot through the wall before even entering.

Re: Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

#79

I'll repeat it again. - Machines that see through walls are coming - Microscopic drones are coming - Mind-reading machines are coming - Private key cryptography will become obsolete Fighting for privacy is backward. It's unsustainable. We must work toward a post-privacy world. The sooner we do it, the smoother the transition will be.

I'm scared. What is a post-privacy world?

Re: Through-Wall Human Pose Estimation Using Radio Signals

#80
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe you can achieve the same result in your home by adding a sheet metal roof, metal cabinets, and refrigerators along every wall.

It's a rather unfortunate coincidence, isn't it? Certainly it's not their fault that their buildings just happen to be constructed in such a way, and their products arranged such that it blocks signal causing customers to not be able to compare prices and have to use their approved internet connection. /s I see this in the Targets in my town. I just expect signal to drop to zero.

I would be very surprised if the benefits from blocking signal outweighs the cost of constructing the building to intentionally block signal, and the risk of being sued for it. It's probably just something that happens naturally with those types of buildings.
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