QinetiQ develops mouse-less mousepad

U.K. defense and security firm QinetiQ -- you may remember them from such fun-filled gadgets as exploding ink and the Millimeter Wave see-it-all-o-vision -- have turned their attention to slightly more mundane endeavors, developing what is effectively a mouse-less mousepad. Dubbed for patenting purposes the "non contact human-computer interface," the system consists of an array of infrared emitters and sensors that work in conjunction to detect the position of a hand moving above them (as artfully illustrated above). While it can be used to control simple cursor movement, the device one-ups the venerable mouse in at least one area, boasting the ability to recognize various gestures to perform more complex tasks -- for instance, moving your hand in a circle to shut down your computer, or flashing a gang sign to open up your favorite website (we're hoping). While there's no word when it might actually be available, QinetiQ says it should be fairly inexpensive, as it relies on the same infrared diodes commonly used in television remotes, and we all know there's no shortages of those.

[Via New Scientist Tech]

[asher @ Nov 21st 2006 10:30AM]

so they took and apple trackpad and stuck it next to a computer?

[Andy @ Nov 21st 2006 10:43AM]

this just seems really annoying to use.

[ragnar @ Nov 21st 2006 10:56AM]

Again stating the obvious, but at least I'm using my mouse so that for the most parts my hand lies flat on the mousepad and I move the mouse lightly just with two fingers. This clearly doesn't seem to allow the same ease and accuracy than a mouse.

[Casey @ Nov 21st 2006 11:07AM]

Reminds me of this now-defunct set of mousepad/keyboard peripherals that uses gestures.

http://www.fingerworks.com/

I have the Touchstream LP keyboard still and it works great. Getting rid of the mouse has saved my arms from a lot of strain.

[crackpipe @ Nov 21st 2006 3:00PM]

Using a keyboard and mouse won't cause "muscle strain" Mental stress causes muscle strain. YES MENTAL STRESS. Believe it. Read John Sarno. Anyway, yeah the whole making a better mouse trap is really funny. Waving your hand around in the air isn't it. An inexpensive direct-to-brain thought controlled computer interfacing device... I might buy that.

[Nelg @ Nov 22nd 2006 2:23AM]

This could be nice if it can learn gestures or sequences of finger taps (has anyone seen PlanetES?). OTOH, this has the same problem as trackpads, you have to lift the finger and then tap it down to click. When are we going to see a clickwheel-based mat?

[SrBlanco @ Nov 22nd 2006 2:42PM]

Another trackpad would indeed be lame but I think you guys are missing the point. This device detects hand movement in space and does not require you to touch the surface. Think Minority Report v.01.

[Grigori @ Dec 7th 2006 2:30PM]

No reference in Patent application to
Ratov, A. Typewriter Based on a New Principle, 1974
http://stinet.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0782003
it was the same (IR array for gesture recognition)
shorthand writing system