Microsoft Develops Surprisingly Accurate, Wrist-mounted Controller

[Guild McCommunist]

While the gaming community almost universally shrugged at Microsoft's first motion gaming peripheral, it looks like the second time may be a charm. A new, wrist-mounted motion controller, developed by Microsoft, is proving to be surprisingly accurate. How accurate? Enough to give the mouse and keyboard a run for their money.

The device, named "Digits" for now, uses a multitude of LEDs and a camera to track movement, and is even accurate enough to pick up individual finger movements. Additionally, it's no more than the size of a larger wristwatch. If successful, the device could be used for anything from controlling your computer, improving motion controlled games like those on the Kinect, or even allowing the hearing-impaired to learn sign language.

Digits is still in development however, but keep your eyes peeled for some new Microsoft products on your PC or possibly even their next console.

Source

 

[Hyro-Sama]

This sounds pretty interesting. I hope this makes it to market. Has Microsoft done any research on whether or not this combats/prevents arthritis?

Also, inb4retardedanimereference.

 

[narutofan777]

um...I guess this is more useful for those with disabilities. Mouse and keyboard a run for their money? huh I won't be able to type with this controller. Also just like kinect there ain't no 9+ rated games. what happened to the move? does anyone even talk about that anymore???

 

[YoshiKart]

That's pretty awesome. Would work very well for some joystick enabled / mouse movement games. I always wanted Wiimote/Nunchuk accuracy on computer games without killing my hand with a mouse or spending hours on GlovePIE.

 

[Valwin]

as

Accurate as Kinject

 

[Issac]

Hmm, this can be interesting to play around with. Especially as a developer, testing new ideas. I wouldn't use it instead of a keyboard probably, since I even dislike the touch keyboards of iPads and all the smaller devices.. I like typing on real buttons

I would like an open SDK and PC support... I'd go bananas! (Also, hoping it won't be all too expensive)

 

[clonesniper666]

Reminds of LEAP

 

[Gahars]

There's definitely potential here. I'll have to get my digits on it to see if it holds up.

 

[Deleted-188346]

Enough to give the mouse and keyboard a run for their money.

I really, really, really doubt it.
I've never heard someone else say "boy, the mice and keyboard are universally inaccurate, I would gladly use a wrist mounted motion controller instead.".
For people that are suffering from disabilities I see potential, but otherwise no.

 

[ouch123]

At any rate, it's easier on the eyes than some previous attempts. Should be interesting to see where this goes, now that gesture based computing seems to be getting a hand from a large corporation.

 

[Ethevion]

As much as I dislike games that use motion sensors and such, the accuracy of this controller sound amazing.

 

[chyyran]

How exactly do some LEDs and a camera track every movement of your hand?

Still, this looks pretty amazing

 

[Janthran]

Invisible keyboard

 

[notmeanymore]

Am I the only one thinking that eroge will benefit from this technology?

 

[FireGrey]

It won't be able to combat the keyboard and mouse.
using sign language is a lot harder to master than to get good at using a keyboard.

 

[Sicklyboy]

In before masturbation homebrew games "How fast can you jerk it?"

As if the Wiibrator wasn't bad enough.

Edit - seriously how do I always manage to get the top post on a page whenever I reply?

 

[KingVamp]

Would be awesome if they could fit these into smart glasses.

 

[porkiewpyne]

This sorta reminds me of the Peregrine Gaming Glove

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXeot-KDupc

 

[Arras]

That's pretty cool. I'm not really sure what you'd use it for besides navigating menus with gestures and stuff, virtual buttons are cool but real buttons are still better.

 

[Bladexdsl]

meh I like resting my hand on my mouse, with this I have to move my hands way more