The panels look pretty cool. I wonder if the sensitivity of the detection can be increased to detect people walking past in the isle at a tradeshow (distance ~1 meter)? We might consider this for our tradeshows to attract people. Thanks.

The sensitivity depends on the mode of excitation. The sensors detect changes in the amount of near-infrared light hitting them. Thus, they respond to shadows from sunlight or incandescent light sources, even at great distance. The panels also have embedded infrared light sources, so that there is always a signal for the panels to see, even in absolute darkness, if there is motion above the panels and infrared can reflect off of the moving object. Interaction is strongest within 10 cm, but usually significant up to a 30 cm or more, depending on what is between the panels and your arm. Of course, if you have incandescent lighting or sunlight, then you can have strong interaction from anywhere that generates a shadow-- dozens of meters away even. This would be easy at a trade show if you placed a lamp across the aisle from you.