German scientists turn the average finger into remote control and simultaneously break the how-lazy-can-we-be ceiling
Posted 02.20.2009 at 2:19 pm
11 Comments
iPoint 3D
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
Lose this remote control you’ve got a serious problem. In two short weeks, a group of German scientists will unveil the iPoint 3D, which allows users to communicate with a 3-D display through simple finger gestures. The technology doesn’t require a data glove, 3-D glasses or any contact with the screen. On the down side it doesn’t negate the need to actually lift your arm.
So how does it work? iPoint 3D is essentially a recognition device about the size of keyboard that is suspended from the ceiling or integrated into a coffee table. Two cheapo video cameras connected via FireWire pick up any movement from a couch potato’s hands or fingers and transmit the data in real time back to the device. No physical contact or special markers are involved.
Ok, so maybe spuds and gamers aren’t the only potential beneficiaries. According to Paul Chojecki, a research scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich-Hertz-Institut, iPoint 3D’s applications might include office, hospital or interactive information system environments. “Since the interaction is entirely contactless, the system is ideal for scenarios where contact between the user and the system is not possible or not allowed, such as in an operating room,” Chojecki says. In addition, it could be used as a means of controlling other devices or appliances. For example, a multitasking cook can turn down the boiling potatoes by waving a finger without leaving meatloaf slime on the stove knob.
If iPoint 3D proves successful, no doubt we’ll all be giving each other the finger this holiday season.
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Could this be marketed as a PC input device similar in function to a mouse?
Does it respond to everything that moves in front of it or just certain gestures?
I had an idea similar to this, to control TV set without a remote controller. I even wanted to issue a patent for this, only to find out it is already patented quite a few years ago :-(
Many things are being introduced to us by various companies, but we should ask our selves, do we need it? There are so many innovations and inventions that could help us from learning better to free energy. Everything else is just toys. I think that we, as the human race, should concern ourselves with more important matters. The same, companies who come up with this stuff should focus their money and brain power on more important matters.
This reminds me of the motion-technology for the Nintendo Wii: it's innovative, but it definitely won't work how it is intended. There are so many motions that can be incorrectly understood as gestures at changing something on the screen. I highly doubt everyone using the system will sit perfectly still when watching TV.
Plus, I can't see how it will work for things other than TV, like video games, unless the video game has the system in tune or something.
Still, it is cool to see things like this show up. I think that it is just as important to upgrade every day things than to invent huge extraordinary things.
This reminds me of the motion-technology for the Nintendo Wii: it's innovative, but it definitely won't work how it is intended. There are so many motions that can be incorrectly understood as gestures at changing something on the screen. I highly doubt everyone using the system will sit perfectly still when watching TV.
Plus, I can't see how it will work for things other than TV, like video games, unless the video game has the system in tune or something.
Still, it is cool to see things like this show up. I think that it is just as important to upgrade every day things than to invent huge extraordinary things.
pies765
I think this will be good
pies765
I think this will be good
An important factor in its usefulness and popularity will be the designers' ability to code the thing to filter out extraneous motion. I get the amusing mental image of someone watching the last down of the Super Bowl, with a score separated by only a few points, and accidentally changing the channel when they unconsciously wave a fly off of their hot dog.
super awsome.
i want one for my wii so i dont have to use a wiimote.
3D using a very broad, and now everywhere in our lives is full of 3D things, not long ago I did buy a pair of 3D glasses, interested can go take a look at http://www.firmoo.com/