Touchless Gesture User Interfaces

An anonymous reader writes "Elliptic Labs is set to debut their Touchless Gesture User Interface technology which uses ultrasound to let the user navigate through a device's commands simply with the motion of their hands. From the article: 'Elliptic plans to showcase their “Mimesign” technology at IFA in Berlin from the 3rd to 8th of September 2010. Mimesign will bring intuitive ways for people to interact with devices. The possibilities range from tablets, remote controls or in-car media controls. The interface is based on ultrasound technology and allows the user to remain in an unchanged state.'"

Comments

Wonderful

[ColdWetDog]

So, instead of people simply talking into bluetooth mics, gesturing wildly in space and acting like a schizophrenic off their meds, you're simultaneously going to have people waving their arms around like they are conducting a symphony.

Yep, cubicleville is going to get even weirder than it already is.

how retro-futurist

[Trepidity]

In glorious future, we operate our computers as if they were theremins!

Re:how retro-futurist

[arth1]

Theremins are cool, but...
Thankfully, no, future interfaces will also let our arms rest, and we won't have to wave our arms around like Tom Cruise. Because of what's known as the gorilla arm syndrome, any user interface that requires users to lift their arms for any length of time is doomed to fail in the long run.

Sure, this might be viable for operations you seldom do, like dimming the lights or turning on a monitor, but it won't be viable for any prolonged use.

Re:how retro-futurist

[Anonymous Coward]

Because of what's known as the gorilla arm syndrome, any user interface that requires users to lift their arms for any length of time is doomed to fail in the long run.

You must have a girlfriend.

HHTG

[MichaelSmith]

To keep watching the same program you must remain absolutely still in front of the TV.

But seriously, the gesture to shut something down would require exactly one finger...

HHGTG

[sharkey]

Sounds like the radio on the Heart of Gold to me.

I misread...

[Sarten-X]

I misread the headline as "Useless gesture interface". I'm not so certain that's wrong.

Seriously, people already have a hard enough time using computers. Humans in general simply aren't perceptive enough to realize "clockwise swirly motion" means refresh the browser page. Then there's the complications of positioning, and people who talk with their hands... ...I think I'll stick to a mouse. Thanks.

from The Guide

[tyme]

from the first paragraph of chapter 12 of HHGTTG:

"For years radios had been operated by means of pressing buttons and turning dials; then as the technology became more sophisticated the controls were made touch-sensitive -- you merely had to brush the panels with your fingers; now all you had to do was wave your hand in the general direction of the components and hope. It saved a lot of muscular expenditure of course, but meant that you had to sit infuriatingly still if you wanted to keep listening to the same programme."