Leap Motion is a new kind of motion sensing
device which allows you to use fingers/objects in 3D space to control things on
your computer screen. It looks like small box (matchbox size) and it could be
placed in front of computer. To interact you use space above it. The device is
similar to Kinect controller but much more sensitive - in 1 meter hemisperical area it’s able to track object with precision of 0.01 mm. To
achieve this precision it uses 2 cameras and 3 infrared LEDs and special tracking algorithms. It gives
possibility to perform different natural real life gestures like pointing, swiping, navigating in 3D space, pinch-to-zoom, drawing in a really responsive and merely "organic" way. You can
even pick something and put it down. I already see myself during editing video and building
slideshows just like Tom Cruise in Minority
Report movie. Ten fingers, two hands and one huge leap. Everything for just
$79.99!
https://www.leapmotion.com/
https://www.leapmotion.com/
At first glance it looks amazing and I think
it’s worth discussing about future use. Will it be a huge success and a real
replacement of keyboard and mouse or only a niche complement device? What about
lack of feedback and hand fatigue after long interaction? During interaction with mouse our hand is more relaxed and precise at the same time. What
about drawing? Digital graphic tablets convert analog interaction to digital
world while maintaining pressure sensitivity and pen tilt for a real
pen-on-paper feel. Here we have drawing in the air. Is it useful for artists?
On the order hand let’s imagine doctors using medical applications without
touching computer maintaining sterility or interactive lesson with educational
app for children presenting for example 3D solar system.
There are opinions that the main problem is
not with interaction or device itself but it’s about lack of innovative apps showing
the real potential of Leap Motion. That’s why producers are looking for
developers. If you feel really interested and want to create unique experience
by developing new apps you can join developer community:
Special online store called “Airspace” will
be launch in May for downloading and buying apps and games designed to use with
Leap Motion.
Well I’m a little skeptical about this
device but of course I’ve already preordered one in February and I'm waiting for premiere
in May ;)
Some questions for you:
1. Do you think
that's really groundbreaking device or only another digital gadget?
2. Do you find it useful for interaction in your work/play?
3. Will you buy it at this price?
4. Which existing applications/games should be augmented with this technology to get better interactive experience?
5. Do you have an idea for a new application/game/interface using this device?
2. Do you find it useful for interaction in your work/play?
3. Will you buy it at this price?
4. Which existing applications/games should be augmented with this technology to get better interactive experience?
5. Do you have an idea for a new application/game/interface using this device?
1. Do you think that's really groundbreaking device or only another digital gadget?
ReplyDeleteDefinitely form me its not a digital gadget. Maybe now because it’s something new many people treat these devices as a gadget but in nearly future I think it will be change.
in the fashion industry
2. Do you find it useful for interaction in your work/play?
Both work and play, I think that in the fashion industry, many photographers, architects ect. Will love this device on the beginning of course. Later will be in widespread use.
3. Will you buy it at this price?
Yes, of course $79 for that gadget it’s not so expensive.
4. Which existing applications/games should be augmented with this technology to get better interactive experience?
In fact I don’t know, probably there are a lot of applications and games but at this moment nothing meaningful comes to my mind.
5. Do you have an idea for a new application/game/interface using this device?
Unfortunately no
You have mentioned "fashion industry". What kind of usage do you anticipate there?
DeleteI have to admit, that after watching the minority report I thought about the possibilities of designing such system :) . Some time ago I even watched how other developers tried to achieve this goal using Kinect. Thanks for the link - I might actually try to write something using their SDK when it's available (although I don't have the idea for an appliaction yet :) )
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. I think the SDK is already available on this website https://developer.leapmotion.com/. If you build something give me a sign - I can lend you my device to try it ;)
DeleteOk, I'll do it :)
DeleteThe SDK seems to be in stealth mode now, but I have subscribed for the notifications.
1. Do you think that's really groundbreaking device or only another digital gadget?
ReplyDeleteI would rather put my bet on gadget but I think that history has shown that many gadgets became breakthrough inventions.
2. Do you find it useful for interaction in your work/play?
I think that would be explanation for the previous answer, meaning no. I think it maybe applied for some activities but for common things as using current OS's it could became difficult.
3. Will you buy it at this price?
I could test if somebody would give it to me :) (in my spare time of course)
4. Which existing applications/games should be augmented with this technology to get better interactive experience?
I think if they intend to widen the usability for this they should star from something like web browsing, OS support
5. Do you have an idea for a new application/game/interface using this device?
Nope.
1. Do you think that's really groundbreaking device or only another digital gadget?
ReplyDeleteIt’s rather a continuation of things like smart phones. It can prove to be useful if it is really that accurate as the adverts show. It will complement things like ordinary keyboard and mice.
2. Do you find it useful for interaction in your work/play?
It might be well suited for all the public kiosks and atms for example. I do like the idea that you do not have to touch anything physical that could be dirty.
The device could read your fingerprint to check your identity :)
3. Will you buy it at this price?
Do not know yet. If this will be present in every store – then probably yes.
4. Which existing applications/games should be augmented with this technology to get better interactive experience?
Standard infra-red TV remote devices could be replaced with this one. Using TV remote you have to lift your hand and carry the remote. Now you could just lift a finger :).
But who does watch TV any more … :)
5. Do you have an idea for a new application/game/interface using this device?
TV remote mentioned above.
That's a great idea, I'm not sure how it could be done, but normal TV remote controls can be quite slow and annoying, so it would be a nice change.
DeleteI like the device, it seems to be working well. I wouldn't say it's groundbreaking because we've seen similar technology in game consoles before. It's nice that you can use your fingers without holding anything or marking them with something, but I have my doubts how accurate this can be both at reading your gestures and positioning your input on the screen.
@Waldemar - I really like the idea about kiosks and ATMs because using these public services is usually unhygienic.
Delete@Wiktor - I think you will like also another great device: MYO - The Gesture Control Armband - https://getmyo.com/. It uses the electrical activity in arm muscles to wirelessly control computers, smathphones and other digital equipment.
Delete1. Do you think that's really groundbreaking device or only another digital gadget?
ReplyDeleteI think that this is only another gadget this is another step in interaction with devices.
2. Do you find it useful for interaction in your work/play?
Yes for sure it is something useful in work but also in play:)
3. Will you buy it at this price?
I don't know I will think about that when it will be in Poland :)
4. Which existing applications/games should be augmented with this technology to get better interactive experience?
I think that some application for photographers or architects and I think that it is nice devices for all the games:)
5. Do you have an idea for a new application/game/interface using this device?
Not really I think that when that device will become more popular then it will be more new application/games/interfaces
Finally something that can allow me to wreck peoples’ faces in video games! But being serious, this seems like a very interesting idea. Watching all of the futuristic movies that show people able to control computers using gestures probably caused some hype and brought interest around such devices. I certainly see a place for them. As you mentioned games and multimedia would probably be the main area where this could be used to improve user experience, but this is definitely not a groundbreaking thing for me.
ReplyDeleteThe main doubts I have with such devices are concerns connected with the influence of environmental factors (mainly lighting) on performance.
I have a PS3 with Kinect attached and often I have issues with the precision of reflecting the movements if the lighting isn’t right. The other thing is the fact that you could not use such devices for a long period of time, as you would just get tired (not sure whether this is a good or bad thing though).
I will probably not get such device in the nearest future. I am one of those guys who likes to read the reviews before buying any new tech stuff.
Similarly to tiia I notice similarity of showed gadget to Kinect.
ReplyDeleteI think that showed device won’t replace our keyboards and mice in regular work.
I don’t see possibility for using this device in my work. Maybe idea of tracking fingers will create new opportunities in entertainment or in households.
I think that price of this gadget is good. But I don’t plan to buy it because I don’t have any applications which cooperate with this device.
I don’t know a game market so I can’t say which games can get some benefits from using showed gadget. Additionally I don’t see any application in my computer which can get a real benefits from using it. So probably I should work on my imagination. Nowadays I see using of this gadget in advertising because it looks new and fresh so it can focus attention of potential clients.
For games Kinect seems to be a better solution because it can track greater parts of body. Possibility of tracking same fingers will be able to give the better solution for communicating for disabled people.
1. Do you think that's really groundbreaking device or only another digital gadget?
ReplyDeleteI think this is actually innovative. Google Glasses could have been thought up by an 8 year old. A smartphone....but in your glasses. Leap actually solves an intuitive way to control your computer instead of using a touch screen. Which desktops and touch screens to begin with is a horrible idea..
2. Do you find it useful for interaction in your work/play?
I think Producer will optimize it soon. either way, it kinda works already, but it's a lot easier to just play it normally. Can't wait to use this and my Google Glass at the same time.
3. Will you buy it at this price?
80 $ - suit me.
4. Which existing applications/games should be augmented with this technology to get better interactive experience?
It seems more powerful than Kinect. Can see lots of possible uses for it in my work with 3D / designsSo, could we use that in mobile phones?
5. Do you have an idea for a new application/game/interface using this device?
I think, I have some really good ideas. Some of them are game. .
ad 4. Producer says that now it's only working with Microsoft Windows and Mac OS, but I'm sure that in near future they will widen this to mobile platforms. If not I'm sure some power users will do it ;)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThere is another great gesture control device called "MYO", if you feel interested check what is possible with this:
ReplyDeletehttps://getmyo.com/
I would not say that is groundbreaking. For me is just another step in the process improving user interfaces. I see it really useful in some areas like early childhood education or self service shops where users do not like to use specific tools (manipulators) to interact with application. This will not replace existing solutions like keyboard, mouse, touch screen, haptic manipulators, joystick etc. but can fill the gap in cases when users do not want or just cannot use any tools.
ReplyDelete