How to detect hand wave?

Question

Microcontrollers

Hello. Smartwatches/bracelets often use swipe control, i.e. some kind of action when a person makes a gesture to look at the clock. In Mi Bands, this is a display of steps by diodes, etc. The question is: what are the methods for detecting this gesture for homemade devices? It is desirable that the system, while waiting for a gesture, consumes a minimum of energy. Thinking about acceleration sensors (measuring acceleration or change in acceleration) and waiting for a certain movement pattern (via accelerometer?). First of all, we are interested in methods with a high ratio of response accuracy to labor costs. Thank you.

Answer 1

I think the most reliable and accurate and simple option is an accelerometer. I think MPU-6050 will be enough

Answer 2

Analysis of smartphone accelerations in Matlab (statistics, spectrum) to determine the state of a person: standing, sitting, lying, walking, descending, rising.