Computers have feelings too
Sensing input devices are a recent innovation, perhaps seeming like a flash in the pan. Microsoft Kinect made quite an impression, dominating in the press, and soaking up many many weekends for enthused hackers.
I admire the stance Microsoft took open sourcing the Kinect drivers. It takes courage to embrace any resulting crazy ideas born of your technology. Some truly inspirational hacks came together. If you’ve not seen (m)any before, look at kinecthacks.com’s Top 10.
I’m interested in how technology like Kinect can be free of the tether it currently has to Xbox. Intelligent applications are already in the pipeline from companies like Tobii to make Windows 8 more user friendly.
Watching that video I saw much to be excited about, but couldn’t suppress my instincts as a support technician - I wouldn’t consider suggesting it to anyone from procurement just yet. Too much could go wrong.
My greatest concern: is this technology useful? Definitely, in some circumstances. But then is it reliable and fit for business use? Not yet, the spotlight is pointed at gaming right now. In many ways this is similar to tablets being a real hit in the consumer market, but yet to make a mark in enterprise.
The blended approach to sensing input devices is my favourite - a combination of voice recognition, eye tracking and touch.
Microsoft’s Codespace demonstration took the Kinect technology to the next level. Watching it left me believing that science fiction is finally becoming reality. I’m confident that with the addition of some voice control and perhaps eye tracking too, this style of working is where we’re headed.
As with every new piece of technology deployed, the first hiccup users experience will see a mass backward migration to the way things used to be done. How we interact with computers has been stuck in a rut for too long. The time has arrived to commit to change, computers need to return our gaze.
by @mled
