Remote Control: The Changing World at your fingertips!

A remote control essentially refers to an electronic device which is used for the remote operation of a machine. Remote controls are mainly used to give commands from a distance to televisions or various other consumer electronics such as stereo systems and DVD players. Remote controls are wireless handheld objects equipped with a suite of buttons for adjusting different kinds of settings including television channel, track number, and volume. The remote contains all the necessary function controls while the controlled device only has a few important primary controls. A remote control generally communicates with their associated devices through infrared (IR) signals or radio signals. Remote controls are usually powered by small AAA or AA size batteries.

Most of the remote controls for electronic appliances utilize a near infrared diode which emits a beam of light that reaches the respective device. This light carries strong signals which are detected by the concerned appliance as well as by the sensor of a digital camera. In case of a single channel remote control, the presence of a carrier signal is sufficient to kick start a specific function. Multi-channel remote controls make use of highly advanced processes. In one of these processes, the carrier is modulated with signals of various frequencies. When the received signal is demodulated, the suitable frequency filters are applied to segregate the respective signals. However, today, digital procedures are more commonly used.

The first remote control was created in 1893 by Nikola Tesla, described as ‘Method of an Apparatus for Controlling Mechanism of Moving Vehicle or Vehicles'.The first remote-controlled model aeroplane made its flight in 1932. Since then, remote control technology came used extensively for military purposes and even played a decisive role during the Second World War.

The first television remote control was developed by Zenith Radio Corporation in the early 1950s. Today, Remote control serves numerous utilitarian purposes. It is used for controlling substations, pump storage power stations and HVDC-plants. Machines which operate using remote controls help a great deal in coping with emergency situations such as radioactive or toxic environment, thus preventing damage to human health. Remote control toys such as racing cars, boats and even aircraft have become a favorite with kids. Remote control technology also plays a tremendous role in space travel and military purposes. With the advent of the Wavebird, remote controls have revolutionized the world of videogames too. The Wavebird transformed the world of wireless technology with its video game consoles. Wireless controllers have become an integral part of the modern generation of gaming consoles such as the Xbox 360, the PlayStation 3 and the Wii.