This weekend, Nintendo submitted an intriguing new wireless device to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and it’s not the anticipated Switch 2, expected to be unveiled before April. The model number, CLO-001, suggests it could be a brand-new product line, similar to how earlier devices like the original Switch (HAC-001) and DS (NTR-001) were labeled.
The filing describes it simply as a “wireless device,” without specifying it as a game console or controller like a Joy-Con. A basic diagram included in the documents indicates the FCC label will be placed in a recessed area on a squarish device with rounded corners.
The CLO-001 has limited wireless capabilities—no 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi, and no Bluetooth—but it does feature a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio and a 24GHz mmWave sensor. The 24GHz mmWave sensor is particularly intriguing, as it may function as a radar sensor to track movement, potentially recognizing gestures or detecting nearby individuals to activate the device, similar to the 60GHz sensors in products like the Pixel 4 and Aqara’s smart home presence sensor.
The first-gen Switch’s Wi-Fi hardware was developed by Cypress Semiconductor, now part of Infineon, which is currently showcasing its 24GHz radar sensor capabilities. This technology can detect objects up to 100 meters away, with the ability to penetrate obstacles, though it comes with a larger size and lower resolution. It’s unclear which hardware is in this new device, but Infineon compares its sensors to those operating at 60GHz.
So, what could this device be? Speculations range from a new gesture control interface, an upgraded dock for devices at Super Nintendo World theme parks, to a revival of Nintendo’s “Quality of Life” sleep tracking initiative from a decade ago. It might even support augmented reality features by recognizing real-world objects, potentially leading to new hardware for Mario Kart Live or a Pokémon Go-style system.
With the limited information available, it remains a mystery. But with the Switch 2 on the horizon, it’s the perfect time for speculation!
