A new gadget, called the Leap, has got a good shot at revolutionising gesture-based controls on computer systems. The device is capable of recognising hands, fingers and other objects within its range with an apparently high degree of accuracy, allowing for some stunning gesture-control applications.
The brainchild of Leap Motion‘s Michael Buckwald and David Holz, the Leap is a candy-bar shaped tool that can be attached to a computer via USB and introduces motion control to the system it is connected to via infrared light. The results are similar to those achieved by Microsoft Research’s SoundWave project but, from the demonstration given in the company’s promotional video (below), are far more responsive.
The Leap is claimed to be over 100 times more accurate than Microsoft’s Kinect, responding to the slightest movement with no visible delay. The Leap is not just in testing, it is expected to go on sale for $70 (about R600) at the end of this year and Leap Motion is accepting pre-orders for the device at the moment. On launch it is expected to be compatible with Windows 7 and 8 as well as Mac OS X and will allow basic navigation on the operating systems in question. Leap Motion will also be distributing Leap sensors and SDKs to some developers to see what they can come up with.
Judging by the video demonstration this is one exciting piece of tech that, honestly, cannot come fast enough.
Source: CNN Money