Minority Report’s Computer of the Future, Today
Do you remember the scene in Minority Report when Tom Cruise was moving pictures and movies around on a floating screen with simple hand gestures? If it seemed amazingly natural it’s because it was meant to be. I mean, it’s not a big secret that we’re not born with the inclination to click a mouse and type on a keyboard.
Products like the the iPhone and Wii have proven that we crave intuitive interfaces. 3DV Systems has catered to our desire by creating an infrared camera controller that captures our gestures and translates them on screen. The ZCam is about the size of a standard Webcam. It works by capturing the reflection of infrared light. The shutter speed is quick so that it’s blind to anything thats beyond 8 feet. Depth is measured by heat signatures.
Just like Tom Cruise you’ll be able to navigate through videos and pictures with a flick of your fingers. Or you can take your best shot at a virtual boxer in a video game, just like in the video below. Eventually, this simple device may even be used to form virtual representations of people in large online environments. Imagine being able to move your fingers across a screen and see your World of Warcraft character react quicker than any amount of button mashing could produce.
Best part about this simple device that you aren’t going to need to wait until 2054 to get to test it out. You’re also not going to need to be rich as a movie star, because it’s cost is estimated below $100. Looks like computers just got a lot more hands on.
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Fort Worth gal said
am January 28 2008 @ 10:22 am
That game looks pretty cool and best of all you’ll get in a good workout. Price is great too.
Jerad Kaliher said
am January 28 2008 @ 11:10 pm
@Forth Worth gal, yes, it can be used as a gaming interface, but something tells me you might not have read the whole article. That’s just one of the many functions, and albeit a pretty great one, it has much more amazing potential when coupled with real UI experiences.
Wayne Smallman said
am January 30 2008 @ 5:14 am
While the computer system used in the Minority Report looks cool enough, try using it for more than 15 minutes.
Make sure you’ve got yourself an appointment with a masseuse pre-booked!
Here’s a thought — right now, video games mostly operate on a “level playing field”, in that they don’t preclude people with certain physical disabilities.
But the Wii changed all of that.
Might we see video games of the future that hand success to physically more capable?
Jerad Kaliher said
am January 30 2008 @ 6:52 am
@Wayne Smallman, you’re right – it would get pretty tiring. But maybe there’s a compromise, similar to Wii. I’ve noticed that most seasoned players hardly move at all when playing most games. Maybe some of these systems will include minimal movement while still having the novelty of actually using your body from time to time (a la Wii Sports).
That’s a very interesting point you bring up. These types of systems do favor the physically able. Yet there are systems that are also being produced that favor disabilities, such as mind controlled brain implants. Which one will win out in the long run? Let’s just say I tend to trust in the option that offers least resistance. I can’t think of anything less resistant than thinking.
Music Site said
am January 30 2008 @ 8:07 am
I think it is true, I think soon there will be a big jump in technology, usually the big companies release their product’s technology gradually for 2 reasons I believe:
1- not to let the people at the world get shocked and crazy with a sudden big technology.
2- to sell as much as they can until they release the next product.
but I believe now that many companies started the compitition, before microsoft was alomost the only one in the world that is working but now there are a lot and the compitition is strong, so I believe soon something will happen that will really make the people crazy.
Thank you,
Regards.
Paul said
am February 3 2008 @ 8:35 am
Whoa that looks great.
Cannot wait until we live in a time where this is the norm.
Cruel said
am February 6 2008 @ 12:58 pm
My granpa didnt know anything about the internet. And what do we dont know? I am afraid to imagine it…