More and more technologies are budding each day to help us interact with computers in a much easier way than we do now.
Which one will stand the test of time… no one knows… but hey it’s a new year… and here is a new way you can press the right buttons… without any buttons!
Imagine being able to control your computer or video game without needing to use a mouse or controller. Microsoft researchers have filed a patent for a muscle-based control scheme that does just that, and more — simple hand gestures could be used to do things like send commands to your MP3 player while jogging or open your car’s trunk remotely.
The technology behind the system is called Electromyography, or EMG. Electrodes on the arms, legs, head, or chest can be used to track muscle movements keyed to specific actions or commands sent to a computer, video game system, vehicle, or other device to provide a “hands-free” control scheme.
Check out the demonstration video below for some pretty cool visual illustrations of how EMG applied to consumer electronics could be useful, especially in situations where your hands are already busy or occupied with other objects. One interesting application shown in the clip is an “air guitar” version of Guitar Hero.
Let us know what you think — what other applications could you think of where muscle-based control systems might come in handy?
Source: http://mashable.com/2010/01/01/muscle-control-scheme/
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1agrUM4KYs