The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

NEC goes out on a limb with arm-tap gadget control

Clap trap?

  • print
  • alert

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

NEC has taken Nintendo's Wii Remote to its logical conclusion and announced that it is developing device controls you wear on your wrist.

Each watch-like gadget comprises an accelerometer for motion sensing, plus sensors that register touches to the arm.

The sensors divide the arm into four zones, NEC said: the upper, middle and lower sections of each arm, and the palms of the hand. Essentially, each sensor's input is used to triangulate where on your arm the tap took place.

Tap one of them and the sensors can pinpoint which one it was and issue a command - wirelessly, we guess. It also senses when you clap your palms together.

Combine taps into sequences, and you can start building up a library of gestures, each of which can control some aspect of the device you're using.

"Possible applications of these technologies include music players that can be easily operated while exercising, and mobile phones that may be operated remotely while stored in a bag," NEC suggested.

NEC didn't say when any of this sensor technology might make it into a real, shipping product. ®

Customer Success Testimonial: Recovery is Everything

I wonder what applications DARPA will have in mind for US clapping soldiers?

So I guess we can see clapping, arm waving soldiers in the future as they direct their heavy guns or order in a drone to knock off some innocent.

Different, anyway.

1
0

Meh..

I hope this gadget is robust enough to actually wear and doesn't break like my self-winding watch did. I overwound it while I was watching Baywatch.

1
0

Talking Heads

Then we'll all look like David Byrne in the Once In A Lifetime video. Only stupider.

0
0

More from The Register

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Proof the pen is mightier?
Sammy’s iPad Mini killer has a stylus to stab other rivals too
Microsoft lures buy-curious vixens, corduroys with a cheap fondle
Surface slab sales latest: Will no one rid Ballmer of these turbulent tabs?
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
Samsung plans LTE Advanced version of Galaxy S4
1Gbps download capability could stiffen drooping S4 sales forecasts
Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone
Who's the copycat this time, Mr. Cook?
Google Chromebooks now in over 6,600 stores
Major, worldwide retail push begins this summer