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Remote control palmed off

Posted by: Ian Rowley on August 08

Palm smaller.JPG
Those wasted hours searching for remote controls could soon be over. Researchers at Osaka University in Japan have come up with a new system where palm movements, rather than remotes, are used to control domestic appliances. Instead of using a handheld controller, the group have developed a system which projects a screen on to the palm of the hand. Then, as the user “presses” the buttons with the other hand a camera captures the movements and the data is used to change channels, volume etc. At the moment that requires some fairly cumbersome equipment (See: here) but the brains behind the system hope to have a practical version ready in five years. As someone with six remote controls in my living room alone (that’s for the TV, cable TV set-top box, hifi, projector, DVD player and air conditioning unit) the prospect of operating the lot from the palm of my hand can’t come soon enough.

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Reader Comments

Ying

August 8, 2006 03:56 AM

Personally, I think it's a bit impractical, seeing as how the controls I'd want to use can't possibly all fit on the palm of my hand...

Geek9

August 25, 2006 11:32 AM

It´s impresive a Palm control remote. Japanise people always surprise me. The same happen to me with the company where I work. AXPE CONSULTING. Everyday is a new experience.

Greetings

Prashant

September 1, 2006 07:04 AM

Nice idea, have they ever thought of anything like voice-activated controls for tv, cable, etc
Remember smart-house which works on Voice activated controls rather than these kinda time-wasting gimmicks!!!!!

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