An experimental gestural interface for cars lets drivers control any part of their dashboard without taking their hands off the wheel. Christian Muller, a researcher at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in Saarbrucken, who co-developed the new system, says the idea is to enable drivers to adjust everything from the volume of the car stereo to the climate-control settings while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The prototype interface uses several sensors to detect the movement of a driver’s right index finger as it disrupts an electric field. It is based on the same principle as the theremin, a musical instrument that is played without being touched. Electromagnetic sensors located in the dashboard detect finger movements, providing the driver is holding the wheel in the recommended ten-to-two position and is driving straight. By detecting the different shapes the driver’s finger draws in the air, the system can detect and interpret a wide range of commands. Six people were asked to try the system, dubbed ‘Geremin’. It was able with an accuracy of 86 percent to distinguish 10 different gestures, including moving the finger up or down, left or right, or tracing out circles, triangles, and squares. Some cars do already have buttons and controls built into the steering wheel or attached to the steering column but buttons are more limiting than gestures. The German researchers hope to extend the gesture set significantly. “We will combine this with speech recognition in order to allow people to dictate text messages in the car,” said Muller.
I like the idea, however, I would be hyper-conscious of my movements so as to not trigger something in the car. Which I feel would be a hazard while driving. I would prefer voice recognition.
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