by Administrator
30. March 2010 17:45
A new device has been developed which means touch screens on mobile devices might be a thing of the past.
US researchers have developed "Skinput" - a device which allows you to interact with your mobile device by tapping your skin. A tiny projector uses the skin's surface to display number pads, a menu and a screen. The technology uses sensors placed on the arm, which then control the device depending on where the arm is tapped.
Skinput's creator Chris Harrison came up with the idea to overcome the problem of interacting with gadgets. "The human body is the ultimate input device," he said.
The arm was chosen specifically for the sensors because bone density, arm mass and the filtering that occurs when sound waves pass through the tissue make it easy to distinguish the location of the tap.
"The wonderful thing about the human body is that we are familiar with it," said Mr Harrison. "Proprioception means that even if I spin you around in circles and tell you to touch your fingertips behind your back, you'll be able to do it."
"That gives people a lot more accuracy then we have ever had with a mouse."
So far the device is only at the prototype stage and the sensors are enclosed in a bulky cuff but Mr Harrison believes there's an opportunity for these to be scaled down at a later date. Early trials have shown the technology can be learnt in just 20 minutes, with a 5 location system having an accuracy rate of around 95%.
It's not yet known when the device will be available for commercial use but when it does go on the market it's sure to be snapped up by mobile workers across the world.
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