Researchers at Microsoft and the University of Washington have found a way to harness ambient electromagnetic radiation for a computer interface that turns any wall in a building into a touch-sensitive surface.

The technology could allow light switches, thermostats, stereos, televisions, and security systems to be controlled from anywhere in the house, and could lead to new interfaces for games.

When a person touches a wall with electrical wiring behind it, they become an antenna that tunes the background radiation, producing a distinct electrical signal, depending on body position and proximity to and location on the wall. This unique electrical signal can be collected and interpreted by a device that recognizes the gesture, and it could be used, for example, to turn down the volume on the stereo.