MIT’s ‘sixth sense’ turns any surface into an interactive computing display
Data is a man’s best friend, but we humans rarely use our five senses for data, and rely on external devices and base our decisions accordingly. Dr. Pattie Maes and her research team at MIT’s Media Lab have however been working on a project – a working prototype, pitched as “the sixth sense,” that could provide humans with access to meta-information relevant to decision-making, channelizing internet information into our daily routines. This prototype was demonstrated at TED 2009.
Based on a wearable camera, a battery powered projector, mobile phone and a mirror, the prototype projects information on the surface and lets the user interact with the projected interface. The user wears the device around the neck and some colored caps on the fingers, and then using mere gestures can work on any surface (wall or a palm of the hand), projecting shopping related info, or books price and reviews over at the Amazon and other sites, using visual recognition or RFID.
Via: MaximumPC
