Moto X 2014 Front facing InfraRed Sensors - Safety

[sevoman]

Hi. I've been looking at the new moto x, and know that its has IR proximity sensors facing the user's eyes. From my reading, I understand that these are always on, emitting IR beams waiting for movement, even when the phone is being used, just the software ignores movement when it's already been registered and not needed. Also on many video reviews of this phone, the camera used to tape the review clearly shows the rapid on/off cycles of the IR beams. There are many articles regarding IR beams and eye safety. All stating that IR proximity sensors definitely can cause retinal damage. There are standards set in place for all devices using these sensors and as far as I know this and the Amazon firephone are the first phones that have this feature (I think the galaxy uses a front facing camera and not an IR sensor). Anyhow, not sure if long term use, or constant staring at the phone display with this IR beams firing off would cause harm, but it would make me feel uneasy watching a 20 min YT video on teh phone knowing I'm being bombarded the entire time. Anyone have any technical knowledge on this subject? Here is a link to a very pertinent summary on this issue. I tried linking to a great article on this issue but since I have less than 5 posts on this site it wont let me. If you google "infrared sensor eye safety" it's the first article.

Looking forward to responses!

 

[rusty136]

Re: Front facing InfraRed Sensors - Safety

While the Intersil study did say that IR radiation can damage the human eye, it also said the the IR LED's used in consumer products emit a very low level of IR radiation, and are no threat. In any case, the amount of radiation that the eye receives depends on the distance from the source, so I wouldn't hold the phone right up to my eye. Of course, somebody will probably do that, most likely the same guy who managed to bend his iPhone 6 Plus.