Nintendo filed a mysterious new wireless device with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) this weekend. But it’s not the Switch 2 console, which is expected to be unveiled before April 2024. The model number “CLO-001” doesn’t specifically state what the device is, but the numbering system is similar to the codes used on devices like the original Switch (HAC-001) and DS (NTR-001). It could be a sign of an entirely new product line.
The FCC documents label the device simply as a “wireless device,” meaning it’s not a game console or a controller like the Joy-Con. A simple diagram in the documents shows that the FCC label would be placed on a square-shaped area with rounded corners on the bottom of the device.
The documents also state that the device is not a wearable accessory and does not carry a battery. It can only be powered by plugging it into a wall outlet; in tests, it was seen connecting to the USB-C charger that comes with Nintendo’s Switch consoles. This suggests that the device can be powered via USB-C, but it does not provide any other information.
It is noteworthy that the CLO-001 is quite simple in terms of wireless technologies. The device does not have 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi radio frequencies or Bluetooth. Instead, it has a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio and a 24GHz mmWave sensor.
The most notable feature is the 24GHz mmWave sensor. This sensor could be a radar sensor to track movement or to detect when a person comes near the device and automatically turns it on. It could serve a similar function to the 60GHz sensors used in Google’s Pixel 4 and Aqara’s smart home sensors.
The Wi-Fi hardware in Nintendo’s first-generation Switch was developed by Cypress Semiconductor, which was acquired by Infineon a few years ago. Infineon is currently promoting the capabilities of its 24GHz radar sensors. The 24GHz radar can provide detection ranges of up to 100 meters and can penetrate some obstacles, according to Infineon, but it comes with drawbacks such as larger size and lower resolution. It’s not yet known what hardware this device contains, but Infineon’s website offers comparisons to 60GHz sensors.
Where will Nintendo use its new device?
So what could this device be? Some speculations include a new motion control interface, an improved dock for the devices at Super Nintendo World theme parks, or a return to Nintendo’s “Quality of Life” sleep-tracking initiative that it tried a decade ago. It’s also possible that the device could support augmented reality (AR) features so it can detect objects in the real world, and could be used for new hardware like Mario Kart Live or a system similar to Pokémon Go.