Gesture Control

Almost every object you encounter has been designed to work with the human hand, so it's no wonder so much research is conducted into hand tracking for computer interfaces. Now Microsoft has outlined its projects that deal with hand tracking, haptic feedback and gesture input.

Using your fingers on a smartphone's screen can be hard enough, with the smaller screen of a smartwatch being even more of a challenge. It was with this in mind that scientists created FingerIO, which turns such devices into sonar systems that are capable of tracking the user's finger movements.​

As well as displaying its BUDD-e concept at CES, Volkswagen has unveiled a new version of its e-Golf electric compact. VW says the e-Golf Touch is one of the world's first compact cars with gesture control. It also offers wireless charging, electronic voice amplification and personalization options.

Offering a glimpse into the future of VR input devices, one alumni of Oculus' research division has developed an electromagnetic sensor system that tracks precise fingertip movements in real time.

As the engineers who developed Ford's kick-activated tailgate realized a few years ago, people tend to use their feet to perform tasks when their hands are full. Now, the MIT-based creators of the KickSoul have applied the same sort of thinking to the control of electronic devices.

The patent-pending Kurv Guitar system is made up of a large pick-shaped air strummer and a handheld virtual fingerboard, and combines touch, motion and gestures to generate tunes based on player actions in an app running on a Bluetooth-connected smart device..

There have been numerous attempts to develop an alternative to the keyboard and mouse human-to-computer interface. Apotact Labs recently joined the fray with a four-finger glove-like design called Gest that allows you to control your computer and your mobile devices with your hands.

We test a MiPsaur robot that balances on two wheels like a Segway. It has several different ways to play, including its own interactive moving ball, a battle mode with other robots, and varying moods.

Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a sensing system called LiSense that aims to make the light around us "smart." Not only does it use light to sense people’s movements, but it also allows them to control devices in their environment with simple gestures.

Tired of trying to remember what knobs move your car seat in which direction? Well, in the not-too-distant future, you may not have to. That's because scientists have developed a seat that's moved using simple intuitive gestures.

BMW has announced a host of new technologies that will be coming to its new 7 Series range. The firm says the tech, which includes driverless parking and gesture control functionalities, will deliver improved lightweight design, driving dynamics, comfort, intelligent connectivity and operation.

There's something pretty fulfilling about nailing those floating notes in Guitar Hero, a feeling that a firm named Incident adapted to a more lifelike guitar in 2012 to pretty good effect. Now known as Opho, it has launched a LED-lit keyboard based on the same, super-addictive learning principle.