(via http://www.ellipticlabs.com)
Elliptic Labs may have just released what will be the future way in which we interact with our digital devices. Their system is designed to have specific gesture controls, which allow users to interact more naturally with their computer. Designed specifically for the Windows 8 operating system, users can scroll, navigate, and surf the web on their tablets and PCs without ever having to slide their fingers across their screen. Not only does this system bring us the promised futuristic interface from films, it saves our crystal clear LCD screens from becoming a mess of smudges scattered in every way possible.
The gesture recognition technology works by using an ultrasound technique that enables the system to work more naturally and efficiently. Using an 8 microphones and 2-6 ultrasonic transducers, the system can work without lights, is highly responsive, and offers a much wider field of view in which it can track motions. As a result, the system is much more effective and responsive than similar technologies such as Microsoft's Kinect which employ cameras to track movements.
Furthermore, an SDK has also been released for any developers looking to experiment with the new technology. The venerable C++ is used to program the software supported by Visual Studio. Furthermore, Elliptic Labs also provides a starter kit so developers can start testing the gesture recognition without the hassle of having to configure any hardware. If that wasn't enough, the system uses less power than any other camera based gesture recognition system available. 95% less power to be exact. The new products and partnerships that result from this system should produce some of the most natural and exciting technology currently available to us.
To anyone who has used the Microsoft Kinect for navigating the XBOX dashboard or Netflix, you know how tiring it is to have your arms in the air. Not sure how well this will take, to be honest.
Cabe
