A recent post on Slashdot led me to this interesting video produced by the folks at Ishikawa Komuro Laboratory at the University of Tokyo. Using their Vision Chip, a CMOS image sensor with a parallel image processor, they created an in-air, finger motion based interface for a mobile phone. While I do not believe that in-air typing is the right application for this interface (a lack of tactile feel will I think turn off users), this certainly is a fascinating project that may be what we see commercially in the next couple of decades! Take a look at their video below. Also, if you haven’t done so, check out Zeljko’s post about Project Natal – a similar input interface for the future Xbox 360.
Mark Taipan