Computer User Interface of the Future?

Like the computer in Minority Report

http://ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=j_han&flashEnabled=1

Ever since Xerox showed off the first mouse-driven interface to a computer decades ago, scientists and researchers have continually worked towards creating the perfect human-computer interface.  The mouse and keyboard have seen steady improvements over the years, we've seen the addition of eye and head-tracking controllers, tablet/pen interfaces etc.  The problem however is they're all limited by what we already have.  They're just different ways to emulate the mouse.  To this day, manipulation of objects on a computer screen had been limited to two points of movement/control.  One researcher at NYU however is making some very serious progress on an entirely new way to interact with your PC... with your hands.

And when I say hands, I don't mean like you use them now.  Not even like you use them on a conventional touch-screen when you order an MTO at Sheetz.  Jeff Han has come up with a way to use your computer in one of the most natural ways imaginable, using as many fingers, or points of pressure as you like, you can manipulate icons, photos, windows, anything as if you were grabbing it with your hand in the 3D world.  He recently gave a keynote speech/demo of what he has accomplished to a conference in February of this year.  The technology is called Multi Touch Sensing. 

Check out the video... It's really amazing!  It's a completely intuitive, interface-less way of interacting with a computer.  Once this makes it out of the lab and into the real world, we may see the concept of computer use completely change!

10,106 views 17 replies
Reply #1 Top
Amazing! Truly innovative human to computer interface. This sort of research will indeed change the way we interact with computers, but how long the road? I want it now.
Reply #3 Top
I saw this a few months back. Hopefully we're a little closer to the reality now.
Reply #4 Top
That was really awesome! I can't wait to see all pc's have that technology!
Reply #6 Top
Combine this with Photosynth...

I agree with the above. I want it now. The next step in computers is so close.
Reply #7 Top
This is really awesome stuff. I saw this a few months back and it just really blew my mind.
Having said that, this still all takes place on 2D surface, I think a true revolution in interface will come when we take the screen out of the equation completely.
Reply #8 Top
Forget just taking out the screen, that's small thinking! I want my jack into the Matrix wired to my spine!
Reply #10 Top
well, it seems that sooner or later we should start saying bye bye to our keyboards and mouse...
Reply #11 Top
ooohhh, that is so cool. The future is going to be awesome.
Reply #12 Top
The future is going to be awesome.


The future is what we make it. Mine will be awesome.
Reply #13 Top
My ISDN line had a glance on that videofile, choked and ran away. Will have to wait until next weekt to see what the fuss is about.
Reply #14 Top
hm.... How come a sad smiley face turns into a frowing one..?
Reply #15 Top
Reminds me of the interface Tom Cruise was using in Minority Report and Sharon Stone was using in Sphere. Seems like science fiction and reality are coming closer.
Reply #16 Top
Here is a link that shows this in action and also includes a few extra applications

Multi-Touch Interaction Research - Link

Also found this demo which I thought would be awesome when combined with this technology.

BumpTop 3D Desktop Prototype -

Link
Reply #17 Top
Forget just taking out the screen, that's small thinking! I want my jack into the Matrix wired to my spine!


Was kinda tossing around ideas with fellow tech students here at EITC. Came up with chrome contact lenses/wireless display modules/quantum-array electron-based CPU implants...man, you'd really never have a clue who'd be walking down the street with you at any moment...as long as nothing malfunctioned...malfunctio...malf...mmph...bzzt [please reboot]