Disney, CMU Researchers Develop Gesture Recognition System

Disney Research and Carnegie Mellon University scientists have used the same capacitive-coupling technology found in smartphone touchscreens to develop a body movement- and gesture-recognition system. Touché uses the same capacitive coupling technology found in smartphone touchscreens. In these binary systems, the screen detects whether or not the screen is being touched. The researchers used a similar approach that uses sensors placed on an object to control it. These sensors are able to detect a wider variety of signal frequencies that are associated in the system with a specific gesture such as tapping or moving a specific body part. The researchers have developed various proof-of-concept applications for the technology, including a chair that dims the lights when a user reclines and an MP3 player controlled by touching various body parts. The Touché system has reportedly achieved almost 100 percent recognition rates in tests. Researchers say the system could also be used to interact with tiny embedded devices that are typically difficult to control, which might include sensor-based devices found in some buildings. (Fox News)(Ars Technica)