Homebrew laser pointer-based gesture interface

While some may think laser pointers aren't good for anything other than hijinks that may or may not cause blindness, intrepid hacker "mnt" apparently has a greater affection for the technology that's been the cause of so much embarrassment. Using nothing more than a cheap webcam and some mad coding skills, he's manged to turn that run-of-the-mill laser point into a gesture-based interface device, employing Grafitti-like symbols to control media playback on his PC (check it out in action after the break). Sadly, he hasn't made the necessary software available to the public just yet, so unless you've got the skills to whip up your own, it looks like you'll be stuck with your antiquated remote control for a while yet.

[Via Hack A Day, thanks Mike]

[James Scott @ Dec 18th 2006 1:32PM]

I thing I'd rather see it adapted to act as a mouse pointer.

Wacom Tablet == WALL!

[Mike Mielke @ Dec 18th 2006 2:07PM]

hell yea mouse pointer even media controller that is still awesome

[Mike @ Dec 18th 2006 2:23PM]

mouse cursor replacement anyone?

[boricuajake @ Dec 18th 2006 2:37PM]

As someone who's last experience with "programming" a computer was drawing boxes on some kind of ancient Macintosh in like the first grade this is like effing magic! I humbly bow before thee and submit to your almighty will oh codeninja.

[Isaac @ Dec 19th 2006 9:52AM]

Pssh, tape a laser point to a Wii and you won't even need the webcam. :) hehe

But seriously, that's pretty sweet. I can definitely see that being marketable. Run for the copyright, Forrest, run!

[Isaac @ Dec 19th 2006 9:54AM]

Er, I meant, "tape a laser pointer to a Wiimote"

(would be nice if we could delete or edit our own posts, especially right after we've made them :) )