A DIY Mid-Air Pointing Device

Werner Heuser writes with an article in Linuxdevices on building your own handheld pointing device that works in mid-air. There is a YouTube video showing the Soap in action and detailed instructions to make your own Soap. From the article: "'Soap,' which resembles a bar of soap, is based on hardware found in a common wireless optical mouse, and is relatively easy to make, according to its inventors. Imagine numerous situations in which one might wish to control an appliance while standing or walking, for example, when giving a slide presentation or interacting with a wall-sized display."

Comments

Ugh..

[Rob T Firefly]

and detailed instructions to make your own Soap.

I've already seen "Fight Club," thanks.

Don't feel like reinventing the wheel?

[Total_Wimp]

...you can try an Air Mouse from Gryration. I know we're all really excited about the Wii and all, but, honestly, it wasn't the first, and isn't the only, device that does motion sensing.

I know it's not home made, but it does the job pretty well.

TW

So...

[syphax]

... you put a sock around a stubby thing and kinda rub it with your hand, and it makes you happy.

Except that the stubby thing is attached to a computer.

I believe that ./ers are uniquely qualified to operate this device.

Yep...

[justinbach]

Three researchers at Microsoft Research have created an innovative handheld pointing device that works in mid-air. "Soap" -- which resembles a bar of soap -- is based on hardware found in a common wireless optical mouse...

Yeah, most of FPS gamers I know could use some soap...