

Those electric field transmissions use the human body to send data by modulating the electric field to create signals that are sent and received through it. Communications are enacted just by touching or bringing the hand over a sensor, which makes it suitable for applications such as ID cards or keyless automobile access.

The use we're really excited for, and one that was proposed in video form only, was two people having devices pocketed and sharing data between the two via hand touching, E.T. style. Unfortunately there isn't any direct product that's reaching consumers with the technology yet but the innovation is still just in progress so let's just be excited for the moment.

Basically, what can be communicated by infrared between cellphones you can communicate by shaking hands. Asked about Internet access, the ALPS person told that high-capacity data transmission can be done using multiple people in theory, but they have to be holding hands all the while so it sounds a bit too impractical. Data can be transmitted by anyone regardless of age and sex, staticky or not. (Engadget)