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Elliptic Labs To Bring Touchless Gestures To iPad

Posted by timothy on from the unhand-me-sir-unhand-me dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Elliptic Labs will reveal their Touchless Gesture User Interface technology at CES 2011. Elliptic Labs sprung forth from the signal processing environment at the University of Oslo and what they've come up with is an [iPad] dock which creates a 'touchless zone' that extends out about 1 foot in front and to the sides of the iPad screen. Users can then initiate a number of gestures, much like on Microsoft Kinect, to manipulate onscreen content."

55 comments

  1. Poor choice for name by PatPending · · Score: 1

    Is the person who chose the name "Elliptic" vis-à-vis "Epileptic" fit for the job?

    --
    What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
    1. Re:Poor choice for name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Good choice for the iPad - no flash !

    2. Re:Poor choice for name by spazdor · · Score: 1

      Heh. "fit."

      --
      DRM: Terminator crops for your mind!
    3. Re:Poor choice for name by c0lo · · Score: 1

      Is the person who chose the name "Elliptic" vis-à-vis "Epileptic" fit for the job?

      Unless he is Venus, I think he is.

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    4. Re:Poor choice for name by unitron · · Score: 1

      It's tired and I'm getting late.

      I swear I first saw that as Epileptic Labs, which made the mention of touchless gestures particularly dark comedy.

      --

      I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

    5. Re:Poor choice for name by PatPending · · Score: 2

      It's tired and I'm getting late.

      +1 FOR UNINTENTIONAL IRONY

      --
      What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
    6. Re:Poor choice for name by PatPending · · Score: 1

      Heh. "fit."

      Heh. User name "spazdor."

      --
      What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
    7. Re:Poor choice for name by icannotthinkofaname · · Score: 1

      I also read it as Epileptic Labs. I was also amused by the thought of the gestures being little more than rapid, random shaking due to seizures.

      Don't worry. You are not alone. :-)

      --
      Let q be a radix > 1. I am in ur base-q, killing 10 d00ds.
    8. Re:Poor choice for name by eggnoglatte · · Score: 2

      And what moron tagged this "Sweden"?

    9. Re:Poor choice for name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Sweden, Norway--it's all foreign to /. editors.

    10. Re:Poor choice for name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The Nobel price is Swedish and it's handed out in Oslo, so Sweden makes perfect sense.

    11. Re:Poor choice for name by cronius · · Score: 2

      There are six different nobel prizes, and only one of them (the peace prize) is handed out in Norway.

      --
      Life is Reality
    12. Re:Poor choice for name by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      -1 for failing to recognize sarcastic irony

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    13. Re:Poor choice for name by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The worst kind of moron: an American.

    14. Re:Poor choice for name by unitron · · Score: 1

      I promise you, it was entirely intentional. I've been using that line for about 40 years now.

      --

      I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.

  2. Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by ThreeGigs · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I see usage scenarios for computers in the kitchen all the time, and each time I cringe at the thought of what the interfaces on those things will look like after typing/touching them with hands full of whatever foodstuffs the cook was working with. Market something like this for an iPad in the kitchen and I'd consider it useful.

    1. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by Joce640k · · Score: 1

      +1 ... I was just going to say "can't you manage to reach that last foot to the screen" but I guess you found a reason - filthy hands.

      --
      No sig today...
    2. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by beschra · · Score: 2

      That was my first thought. If it works well enough, I can imagine a number of scenarios where you'd want hands-free interaction with a device. Wouldn't have to be an ipad, though. Could be anything. Since it's infrared, it may work even if the device is in a protected space behind a thick plate of glass.

      --
      It is unwise to ascribe motive
    3. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I can imagine a number of scenarios where you'd want hands-free interaction with a device.

      Not for porn you wouldn't--the screen would be jerking up & down, trying to keep up with you polishing your rocket.

    4. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by PatPending · · Score: 2

      I for one don't want the ol' lady cooking with wine (sometimes she even puts it in the food!) and waving a 10" knife around while gesticulating, trying to get this frickin' Touchless Gesture User Interface Technology to find the right friggin' recipe!

      --
      What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
    5. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yeah, sounds like a recipe for disaster!

    6. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by PatPending · · Score: 2

      Since it's infrared,...

      No, it's ultrasonic; this is indicated at six seconds into the video, and at their website (http://www.ellipticlabs.com/technology/). And no, infrared does not penetrate glass very well.

      --
      What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
    7. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Market something like this for an iPad in the kitchen

      Market something like this with Tom Cruise and three precogs ...

      and I'd consider it useful.

      Oh wait...

    8. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by Linker3000 · · Score: 1

      If only there was some type of wipe-clean passive material that could be supplied in a card-index style format with individual recipes printed on it, or perhaps some form of perspex or glass shielding that could be placed over a recipe book then we wouldn't need to spend so much to bring our remote touch technology and expensive touchscreen devices into such a hostile environment.

      --
      AT&ROFLMAO
    9. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by StripedCow · · Score: 1

      No, observing the behavior of people, I'd say we definitely need a gesture interface in the car first!

      --
      If Pandora's box is destined to be opened, *I* want to be the one to open it.
    10. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      The obvious solution for those determined to employ a computer is a fridge-mount PC with a washable-face glass touchscreen. This sort of thing is still stupidly expensive as a refrigerator option but the age of cheap tablets is upon us and retrofitting one seems like it ought to be cost-effective soon.

      Another obvious solution would be to make portable electronics rugged by default. If manufacturers got into the habit of at least making them waterproof and wipe-clean then the technology to do so would become cheaper.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    11. Re:Good, now put it in a kitchen appliance! by EdgeyEdgey · · Score: 1

      How about during surgery? Germ free information.

      --
      [Intentionally left blank]
  3. Come on guys, at least fake the demo by ZackSchil · · Score: 1

    The demo video makes it look unresponsive and crappy. I fear its performance under less ideal circumstances.

  4. "gorilla arm syndrome" anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    why would you flap your hand at the screen when you can just reach another inch forward and more effectively (and more comfortably) *touch* it

    1. Re:"gorilla arm syndrome" anyone? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/8268/ipadimg0255.jpg

    2. Re:"gorilla arm syndrome" anyone? by PatPending · · Score: 1

      There's an iGlove (TM) (Pat. Pending) for that.

      --
      What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
  5. Inefficient, clumsy, awkward appearance by PatPending · · Score: 3, Insightful

    After watching the video, I conclude this is grossly inefficient. For example, instead of touching the display and moving a finger say an inch or two, one has to move their entire arm about 18-to-24 inches.

    Also consider the unintended consequences from making these gross gestures in proximity to persons or objects: accidentally hitting someone and knocking things over (e.g., your Iced Caffè Mocha). One simply would not want to use this in a crowded, cluttered place.

    Plus one would look ridiculous the faster one tried to gesture!

    --
    What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
    1. Re:Inefficient, clumsy, awkward appearance by Aeternitas827 · · Score: 1

      I'd imagine this sort of thing would have ideal application in an environment like the one Tony Stark works within (in the movies); wave your hands, make threatening-looking finger swipes, and shit happens.

      All we need to complete the sequence is screens floating in mid-air, and giant armor suits that can do amazingly destructive things.

      And the comments above were worried about the kitchen...no need for touching/swiping, a simple 'sudo make me a sandwich' will always do the trick.

      --
      I don't post AC. I like my -1, Flamebaits. Trump/Sheen 2012 on the Batshit Insane ticket!
    2. Re:Inefficient, clumsy, awkward appearance by once+janister · · Score: 1

      That is completely unnecessary technology for the iPad. Coming from someone who doesn't even like touch screens you could consider me biased. Call me old fashioned but I still like pressing physical buttons.

  6. I can haz theremin? by gmhowell · · Score: 1

    Just what I always wanted to do: control a computer with a theremin. There's an app for that. Twelve or more, actually...

    --
    Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
  7. Re:First Post by PatPending · · Score: 1

    FIRST POST

    ...using the Elliptic Labs Touchless Gesture User Interface technology... s l o w l y

    --
    What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
  8. I for one... Sorry, has to be done... by Agent__Smith · · Score: 1

    I for one would like to take this opportunity to welcome our new touchless overlords...

    --
    "It seems that we are at the age where life stops giving us things, and starts taking them away..." Indiana Jones
  9. Onscreen content? by aiht · · Score: 1

    > "Users can then initiate a number of gestures, much like on Microsoft Kinect, to manipulate onscreen content."

    What if I want to manipulate offscreen content instead?
    Actually never mind, I couldn't do that with a touchscreen either.

  10. Something like this? by magus_melchior · · Score: 1

    You: *hand wave* You do not wish to see my papers.
    iPad: I, uh... I don't wish to see your papers.
    You: These aren't the Droids you're looking for.
    iPad: These aren't the Droids I'm looking for.
    You: Move along.
    iPad: Move along.

    --
    "We are Microsoft. You shall be assimilated. Competition is futile."
    1. Re:Something like this? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Lame. Shut up.

  11. There's touchless zones everywhere by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    At the local strip bar they have a 'touch-and-go' rule. You touch, you go. Usually the pre-gesture gives away your drunken intentions...

  12. I'm just wondering... by PhasmatisApparatus · · Score: 1

    if emacs or vi will support gesture recognition first.

  13. hmm.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I bet Microsoft is pissed. Wonder if there is a patent involved...?

  14. Tagged Sweden? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Oslo is in Norway.

  15. Re:I for one... Sorry, has to be done... by Aeternitas827 · · Score: 1

    You mean we're getting rid of the TSA?!

    --
    I don't post AC. I like my -1, Flamebaits. Trump/Sheen 2012 on the Batshit Insane ticket!
  16. Vaio deja vu by Leon+Buijs · · Score: 1

    I was at a friends house last weekend and he demonstrated his new Vaio laptop, which responded exactly like the apparatus in this video. Only it used the webcam, I guess. Like in the video, it doesn't work flawlessly, you easily gesture to fast for it.

  17. but will the device... by bball99 · · Score: 1

    know the difference between my gesture and my cat's insane interest in all things digital? i have to put him on the floor dozens of times already while working on a non-gesture desktop or notebook

  18. Minority by cstacy · · Score: 2

    I predict that only a minority of iPod users will enjoy the UI featured in this report.

  19. Ridiculous by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The current state of the art can't even predict the weather.
    I think they are being overambitious with this project

  20. odd bit of dyslexia... by Type44Q · · Score: 1

    Having just woken up with my vision still a bit fuzzy, I read the title as "Epileptic Labs To Bring Touchless Gestures..." and it actually made sense in a strange sort of way...

  21. Just waiting for the next lawsuit... by mswhippingboy · · Score: 1

    I'm sure Apple has a patent on this..probably something like "Using fingers to interact with a computing device"

    --
    Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is the headlight of an oncoming train.
  22. Re:First Post by monkyyy · · Score: 1

    no u were 2nd

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    warning pointless sig