CenWatch Unveiled — The First Watch Designed to Replace Smartphones and VR Controllers

Hong Kong-based startup CenWatch is making a bold move to redefine the future of wearable technology by launching the world’s first watch with full air gesture control. The device combines a precision LiDAR system, a mobile chipset, and ambitions to create a “wearable internet.”

At its core, CenWatch features a LiDAR scanner that captures 300,000 points per second, tracking finger positions in 3D space with 1mm accuracy. Infrared sensors embedded in the strap, along with a 9-axis IMU sensor, analyze not only hand movements but also its orientation relative to the body. To activate the system, simply raise your hand at a right angle—at that moment, the 8-core MediaTek HelioG99 (6nm) processor kicks in, processing your gestures into commands for smartphones, PCs, or smart home devices.

CenWatch addresses two major challenges faced by AR glasses: their bulky design and awkward controls. Acting as an external “brain,” the device handles intensive computations, thereby reducing the weight of the headsets. Meanwhile, air gestures—from swipes to multi-finger typing—offer an intuitive interface that replaces traditional touchscreens.

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CenWatch runs on Android 13, supports all major operating systems, and offers developers access to its SDK via GitHub—a strategy aimed at building a community to develop innovative applications for the device. Priced at $499 (approximately 44,000 rubles), the gadget is positioned as a tool for both enthusiasts and professionals. Can CenWatch withstand competition from giants like Apple and Google? The company remains unfazed, clarifying that its goal isn’t to replace smartphones but to carve out a new category where watches serve as the central hub for the Internet of Things, augmented reality, and the neurointerfaces of the future.