We've seen plenty of far-fetched EMG-based input methods, like the concentration-demanding, head-based
NeuroSky controller, but Microsoft Research is asking for a patent that involves much simpler gestures -- and might actually make a bit of sense. As demonstrated in the video after the break, Microsoft's connecting EMG sensors to arm muscles and then detecting finger gestures based on the muscle movement picked up by those sensors. It does away for the need of a pesky camera (or Power Glove) to read complicated hand gestures, and can even sense modified versions of the gestures to be performed while your hands are full. Microsoft's developing a wireless EMG sensor module that could be placed all over the body, and while like all Microsoft Research projects this seems pretty far from market, there's a small, optimistic part of us that could see some of the benefits here for controlling mobile devices. And boy do we love controlling mobile devices.
posted January 3rd 2010 9:10AM
I suspect that the three-fingered salute shown in the picture above is a shortcut to Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
Opens up entirely new possibilities for interfacing with a PC, I wonder when they will implement sensory feedback, so that you don't have to check it visually... Ctrl+Alt+Delete may be... If this form of input becomes mainstream, keyboard terminology may no longer be as relevant.
@thoughtmonster
i always thought the 3 finger salute was for "the shocker"
2 in the pink...1 in the stink
@EI8HT
No. Just No.
@thoughtmonster
Damnit. They just beat me to it.
@thoughtmonster
So to reset your computer you give it the shocker? Kinky!
@Skate It Dont Spray It Interesting to know how the EMG data is going to be transferred to controlled device (e.g PC, XBox, display, etc.) Although, wires are cumbersome. On the other hand, wireless means yet another source of RF radiation… Are they preparing this to go with their project natal? http://bit.ly/project-natal-will-change-our-world
Wow speaking of it being on steroids...
0.55, the guy totally fails to touch his index finger!
@Oli D
lol you made my day
@Oli D hahahah mine too!! epic FAIL!
YEAH POWER GLOVE!!!!!
Air Guitar Hero?!
I LOVE 2010!
Lol?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/27/microsoft-researchers-build-muscle-computer-interface-play-air/
The TechFlash site just took the video, and made a new post about it.
@Maj Just so it's clear, the news we reported was that the company has filed for patents on the technology. The filings were made public Dec. 31, with new details, diagrams, etc. -- Todd Bishop, TechFlash
Kinda cool to see the Guitar Hero game being demo. Interesting...
@Dusty
I was thinking how damm awesome it was that that dude was playing a game without the XBOX 360 controller being turned on....
iShocker
I'm sorry but that techniques gives me repetitive stress injuries just looking at it.
The ultimate control mechanism for me is going to be one based on no touch or hand movements at all. We need true cybernetics. Not the primitive and stupid use of the word that seems to be the norm. You know what I mean..."cyber" this and "cyber" that?
What I mean is, we need true, cybernetic, thought controlled technology.
@Olternaut
"What I mean is, we need true, cybernetic, thought controlled technology."
Unless they can do it without making you wear a bunch of leads on your head or implanting something at the base of your brain, you'll never see it happen. The first is too expensive and the second, well, yeah.
Plus, if you get repetitive stress injuries from doing something as simple as touching your fingers together (something you should do at least 100 times a day) then I don't know what to tell you. For people who already play instruments like the guitar and video games (and are remotely in shape), this wouldn't be a problem
@PBB I would not mind having something implanted into my brain (;
Gangsters will be the Elite hackers for the coming decade.
"It does away for the need of a pesky camera (or Power Glove) to read complicated hand gestures, and can even sense modified versions of the gestures to be performed while your hands are full."
So what then will the sensors be attached to in the retail version? There will have to be something that contains the sensors that gets strapped to your arm. So this solution doesn't really solve the problem of the pesky camera. In fact it makes it worse. The pesky camera won't get lost the bottomless abyss down the back of the sofa.
@aikiwolfie The pesky camera doesn't require the user to sit still for several minutes to attach and detach all that wiring each and every time they sit down and stand up.
@BigD145 while i totally agree, (camera's aren't pesky!) i can see a future implementation where all you are required to do is put on a stretchy bracelet thing on your forearm that contains the sensors and wirelessly sends them to the console.
@inestine Where's your battery? Too much weight and now you have to deal with elbow and shoulder strain.
@inestine Which brings us back to losing the thing down the sofa or the dog eating it etc. Basically all the problems we have with wireless remotes and controllers today. If it doesn't solve those issues there's no point. It's just another controller to be lost, charged and get in the way.
Not too long ago the BBCs Click program presented a TV with built in gesture recognition. It used a 3D camera much like that of Microsofts solution. The camera is built in to the TV. It doesn't get lost or eaten or require a charge time.
All it requires is for the user to learn the gestures. Which you will also have to do with this pointless tech. I say pointless because it's un-nessesarilly complex. There are simpler technologies making their way through the R&D process to market that will do the job better.
Looks great for a sign language translator. Or course in this day and age if you're going to carry around a sign language translator you may ad well carry around a netbook instead and type back and forth.
Imagine having a wrist watch/phone, and you just dial a number by using gestures!?
"EMG-based input methods, like the concentration-demanding, head-based NeuroSky controller" is actually using brain waves - or EEG (electroencephlagram). EMG is measuring muscle activity (electromyogram). If you hook a controller to your heart you would use an ECG (electrocardiogram).
put this on the love muscle and it will bring a whole new pr0n experience
Epic Win for the picture!!!!!!!
2 in the goop, 1 in the poop
NICE!!!!!!!!
This stuff does not impress me at all really. It's bad enough that no one actually socializes anymore or goes, dare I say, for a nice walk. But now with this garbage we are having to do less work with computers that already make everything else less work and eventually we'll just be Surrogates sitting in a chair 24/7 having crazy robots doing things for us. Nay.
@Danny Boy
Actually people socialize a lot and on a much wider and diverse scale thanks to the advances in technology like computers and the internet. What do you think social networks get their names from? If fact people who use social networks tend to be more social in reality than those who don't
http://www.philly.com/philly/living/80521637.html
I agree with you that we are getting lazy and rather flick a finger than actually push a power button, but I don't agree that we are not socializing or leaving our houses. Maybe you don't but I don't think that is the case for most people who embrace technology.
@Unverified User I agree with you. While my remark was a tad on the dramatic side, I just can't fathom any possible use for that in my own two hands. I'm sure for medical or military use that technology could do wonders, and I hope it does, but at this point in time I have exactly 0 issues typing on a keyboard or picking up an XBOX controller. As a consumer it looks like garbage. I spend plenty of time with my stuff without having to physically tie myself to it.
What happens if you leave this on whilst wanking?
@Oli D
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@Oli D Replying to yourself? Oh dear, it wasn't that funny to begin with...
My neighbors would think I am junkie if I put this in my arm like needles. I dont find this technology innovative and practical.
Now combine this with sixthsense... :D
I completely understand how that guy running with his music player feels. I used to have an ipod and while that was a pain, I could at least change the volume by spinning my fingers on the wheel. Now I have a Zune, and the fact that there's no physical way to directly change the volume (you have to press a button to bring up the touch screen controlled volume) is a major pain. Maybe this tech will eventually make it to the Zune? You know, once there are more than 12 apps in the Zune marketplace...
@teodude
Are you sure you have a Zune? Cause you turn up the volume by tapping the screen once - and then the volume control screen pops up. You don't have to press the side button....
@atomandroid
Pretty sure it's a Zune... came in a Zune box, works with a Zune AV Dock, and the Zune software I downloaded from the Zune website recognizes it as a Zune... So yeah, I'm not an idiot, but thanks for the concern.
The point is that you have to touch the screen and look where you press in order to change the volume. If I'm just randomly pressing my screen without looking while running I could pause, skip forward or back, or turn the volume up or down. So if I'm trying to turn the volume up, I have a 1 in 5 chance of actually doing it if I don't look at what I press. Having a different way to control the sound, from a basic switch to something such as the muscle sensors mentioned in the article, would be beneficial.
This won't make anyone money cuz it doesn't work if your hand is covered in lube....
Lets hope this won't be a vapourware again from MS.
@Infinity
It's another Courier Book.
All muscles, no brains.
SHOCKER!
Take something that's been in use for more than a decade and other people invented and developed, then patent it, "the MS way®"
@Wwhat
Err... yeah, that's been their schtick for the last two decades. I think they had one major innovation (ever): GWBasic. Oh, and Bob.
@Wwhat
Thanks for your comment.
Check out our EMG controller at www.biocontrol.com. No wires or primitive electrodes. Been in production for years. Pitched MS many times on the technology - they appeared never to be interested.