Gesture-based television control developed

Seemingly taking a step backward for even the terminally lazy, a team of scientists have unveiled a gesture-based control system for your television which uses only its own system of hand signals. Similar to a previous concept developed by MIT, the system works by monitoring the "movements" of a slothful couch surfer, and then reacts to a set of seven hand motions such as clenching your fist ("start"), thumbs-up ("up"), and a sideways peace-sign ("channel"). The researchers say the software can also distinguish between actual "TV gestures" and the movement of pets or small children. In related news, a similar device is also in development which allows its user to control almost all features of your television and associated equipment using a single thumb, although those involved in development are unsure they'll find a market for this "remote," as it were.

[Via The Raw Feed]

[brad @ Jul 15th 2007 8:43PM]

this is all good until im watching football and get pissed at the reff, which results in my flicking off the tv which would probably end up ordering porn which causes the wife to get pissed and me getting devorced

[Dan @ Jul 15th 2007 9:39PM]

Some of us would sarcastically change the channel after that bout.

[paul34 @ Jul 15th 2007 8:37PM]

Wow, I can't do all that. I mean, first, I have to move between the sofa and fridge to get some soda and fried chicken... then I already have to PRESS buttons on the remote. Hand gestures?! What is this, a Nazi work camp?!




=)

[Gadget Extrimist @ Jul 16th 2007 12:25AM]

And I thought kid fighting over the remote was bad enough now. Just wait till they fight over this thing, they'll cut each others fingers off.

[Señor Swanky @ Jul 15th 2007 8:39PM]

Flip the bird and you get Rosie O'Donnell's most recent rant.

[peter M @ Jul 15th 2007 8:41PM]

the odds of me actually using this device, are remote.

[melloncollie @ Jul 15th 2007 8:54PM]

Ahahahaha, fantastic!

[byaah @ Jul 15th 2007 9:20PM]

How clever you are!

[Andrei Vassiliev @ Jul 15th 2007 11:42PM]

say what you will but if they program a fist shaking motion to switch to a porno channel, I'm sold.

[citykids @ Jul 15th 2007 8:44PM]

I wonder what would happen if I gave it "the finger"?

[Dennis The Menace @ Jul 16th 2007 7:55AM]

Why, haven't you heard them the potential customers? You'd get Rosie!

[Jackyshadow @ Jul 16th 2007 8:49AM]

It'll probably tell you that the content about to show is for mature audience only...

[Timo @ Jul 15th 2007 8:46PM]

imagine this:

a group of italians trying to watch a futbol game

[Calculon @ Jul 15th 2007 8:49PM]

This is going to make watching Star Trek TNG SO much better...

*gesture* engage...

[paul34 @ Jul 15th 2007 9:12PM]

Ironically, this would probably also turn off the TV.

[kaztm @ Jul 15th 2007 8:53PM]

Interesting idea. However, wouldn't it be more convenient if you could just give voice commands?

[Ratchet the Lombax @ Jul 15th 2007 9:08PM]

This is great because I hate having to lift my 8oz remote and press those buttons it just tires me out.

[Rob @ Jul 15th 2007 9:12PM]

So how is this easier than just pushing a button?
I can't seem to imagine who this would be useful for. Not even for the visually impaired, as they probably don't watch much tv.

I can't of anyone that can benefit from this. This thing is as useful as the clapper.

clap, clap ... I'm gone....

[Markman @ Jul 15th 2007 10:22PM]

pretty much what i thought when i read this. this device would be totally use less for me since i never loose the remote and using this device would just be too much work.

[Dave @ Jul 15th 2007 11:51PM]

I can only see two advantages:

1) Impress guests.
2) You never have to worry about losing your remote again.

But, yeah--I agree. For the most part, this seems useless. I bet it would cost a hell of a lot more than a universal remote, too.

[Cody S. @ Jul 15th 2007 9:29PM]

If you were eating cheetos you wouldn't want to touch the remote to get it dirty so this may actually be helpful for those who eat cheetos and other sticky/messy foods in front of the TV.

[Me Deaf @ Jul 15th 2007 9:36PM]

NOT a good idea in a ASL household.

[Diddle @ Jul 15th 2007 9:37PM]

April Fools was over 3 months ago.

[Gene Cowan @ Jul 15th 2007 9:43PM]

So... Francois Truffaut wasn't communicating with the aliens in "Close Encounters", he was trying to change the channel on that big, bright television screen.

[Neebs @ Jul 15th 2007 9:44PM]

In Soviet Household, TV watches you! And changes channels because of it! What a country!

[kaztm @ Jul 16th 2007 12:31AM]

Here's a news for you:
USSR was dissolved in 1991.

If TVs were really intelligently changing channels on you in the '80s, that's kinda high tech!

[FSK1138 @ Jul 15th 2007 9:59PM]

the last thing i want is... my tv looking at me
- i can see a whole lot of issues with this


-- a live camera - that is always on- in your living room - or kids room (o_0); sigh me up ... not.

[John Doe @ Jul 15th 2007 10:11PM]

You do know that if the thing isn't hooked up to a network there is virtually no chance of anyone watching you....Oh I forgot. There are people out there that don't know crap about tech so they fear it for unnatural reasons. while you are at it you should also avoid ATM's as well. You never know who is watching.

[John Doe @ Jul 15th 2007 10:08PM]

So basically you are playing rock paper scissors with your TV. Got it.

[FSK1138 @ Jul 15th 2007 11:56PM]

John Doe you have no idea - who i am do you ? LOL -

http://www.myspace.com/fsk1138music

I do not "fear technology" for unnatural reasons.
I use and toss more gear in a year than you will ever see in you life time. I know technology for what it really is.

BTW:
do you really think the ATM camera only starts recording when you stick in your card -?-

where does the network really end?

Have you even read the article in the Institution of Engineering and Technology's Computer Vision Research Journal?
I have ---this "gadget" is to be embedded in game consoles(which are networked)
Why don't you do some research before you open your mouth -

[Stephen @ Jul 16th 2007 10:02PM]

Y'all got jokes but this could be useful for the handicapped especially the lepers.

[Ryudo @ Jul 15th 2007 10:42PM]

Clap on Clap off!

[Calculon @ Jul 15th 2007 10:57PM]

finally, a TV Donalt Trump can use!
ha...haha... ok, that was pretty bad...

[John @ Jul 15th 2007 11:11PM]

I think that the idea is more that you don't have to keep track of the remote, not that you no longer have to push buttons.

[gfunk21 @ Jul 15th 2007 11:23PM]

This just brought Rock Paper Scissors to a whole new level

[Taylor @ Jul 15th 2007 11:39PM]

"Let's play Rock Paper Scissors to decide who gets the TV..."

[Russ @ Jul 16th 2007 5:42AM]

read the privacy statement about that one - you don't want THAT counted in a database somewhere

[L. Cyphre @ Jul 16th 2007 6:40AM]

This is sooo last week.
My new Psionic Remote, on the other hand...

[Aaron @ Jul 16th 2007 6:53AM]

CUT. IT. OUT. :P

[heng @ Jul 16th 2007 1:00PM]

Hey I need one of these things :)

[heng @ Jul 16th 2007 1:04PM]

I already have a chronic ligament infection from pushing buttons on everything all the time, mouse, RC etc..

[Big @ Jul 16th 2007 9:02AM]

The device has to have a clear line of site to the viewer and records hand motion.

But what happens if I "pleasure myself"?

Based on the key, the computer would see my hand and either "START" or "MOVE CHANNEL UP"

[tiuk @ Jul 16th 2007 10:42AM]

I don't know if I've ever seen so many "Highest Ranked" comments on one page. Awesome responses, guys.

As for the article, it's an interesting idea. As someone said, it'd be handy for people who eat in front of the TV. I wouldn't want this to completely replace the traditional remote, but it'd be a nice additional feature for a TV to have.

[Tyler @ Jul 16th 2007 11:40AM]

Why would you have a "Power ON" and a "Start" gesture? Isn't that redundant, unless you're trying to run some kind of Internet TV?

[JC @ Jul 16th 2007 1:25PM]

Will this thing go crazy when I'm fapping to pr0n?

[Macster @ Jul 28th 2007 3:54AM]

The KTH scientists in Stockholm displayed such system at Comdex 2001. That system was actually much more advanced, but it is good to see that the technology gets implemented for us consumers. Horay.