Researchers at Microsoft are hard at work developing an arm-band that can recognize finger movements simply by monitoring muscle activity. Initial tests show the system with as high as 95% accuracy for all 10 fingers and can even register varying levels of pressure. The end result is a unobtrusive hands-free device that can mimic control of something like a data-glove. MS claims this technology can be far more accurate than other more established forms of gesture controls (such as computer vision based solutions).

This device might be useful in mobile applications, also in virtual or augmented reality environments, where a stationary keyboard and mouse setup fails miserably. I imagine using a band like this you could leverage your second hand to aid in typing text messages on a cell-phone, or even better, performing some clandestine wifi hack while sipping a latte in Starbucks looking incognito. Still, most of this experimental technology that Microsoft develops rarely makes it into an actual product. It will be interesting to see if this ever materializes.

link: High-tech armband puts your fingers in control [NewScientist]

Tags: Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality //