A switch operating device (100) configured to operate a switch (103) with four possible types (111 to 114) of non-tactile translational gestures performed with a heat emitting part (115). A gesture sensor (1) is adapted to detect heat emitted by the part while performing one of the translational gesture types. Four pixels (21 to 24) are arranged next to each other and output a signal (51 to 54) per pixel, wherein the signal has a signal deflection (58) corresponding to the temporal intensity curve of the heat detected by the thin film of the corresponding pixel. A signal processing unit (101) determines the performance of the translational gesture types from the temporal succession of the signal deflections (58). An actuator (104) is controlled by the signal processing unit and operates the switch when one of the translational gesture types is determined.