• Leap Motion - What the Kinect should have been.
    112 replies, posted
So I was browsing engadget today and I noticed an article that caught my eye. The source link lead me to this video and a website: [video=youtube;_d6KuiuteIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d6KuiuteIA[/video] [url]http://www.leapmotion.com[/url] From their About page: [quote]About Say goodbye to your mouse and keyboard. Leap represents an entirely new way to interact with your computers. It’s more accurate than a mouse, as reliable as a keyboard and more sensitive than a touchscreen. For the first time, you can control a computer in three dimensions with your natural hand and finger movements. This isn’t a game system that roughly maps your hand movements. The Leap technology is 200 times more accurate than anything else on the market — at any price point. Just about the size of a flash drive, the Leap can distinguish your individual fingers and track your movements down to a 1/100th of a millimeter. This is like day one of the mouse. Except, no one needs an instruction manual for their hands. Get ready, get set, go. [img]http://live.leapmotion.com/wp-content/themes/leaptheme/img/img-about-us2.jpg[/img] We asked one simple question: ‘What feel’s natural?’. Using a Leap is easy. And the next thing you know, a swipe in the air leads to a swipe of the page. So that nice LED display remains clean and untouched, as it should be. Setup is just as intuitive. Plug the LEAP into a USB port. Load the Leap Motion software. Do a quick wave to calibrate. That’s it. In minutes, you’ll be able to interact with your desktop using natural hand and finger movements. It sounds too good to be true, we know. But, that’s what we specialize in around here. We are changing the world [img]http://live.leapmotion.com/wp-content/themes/leaptheme/img/big1.jpg[/img] Two or three hundred thousands lines of code later, we’ve figured out how to use the Leap to create an interaction space around your computer, in 3D. Able to distinguish thumbs from fingers, and even handheld items like pencils. This allows users to interact like never before, using only natural movements. And we went a step further. You will be able to create custom gestures that fit how you want to use your computer. You can even network more than one Leap device, to create even larger interaction areas. We’ve been able to link Leap to dozens of applications and operating systems. But this is just the beginning. As our development community builds, who knows what the future holds? FAQs [B]What exactly is The Leap?[/B] The Leap is a small iPod sized USB peripheral that creates a 3D interaction space of 8 cubic feet to precisely interact with and control software on your laptop or desktop computer. It’s like being able to reach into the computer and pull out information as easily as reaching into a cookie jar. The Leap senses your individual hand and finger movements independently, as well as items like a pen. In fact, it’s 200x more sensitive than existing touch-free products and technologies. It’s the difference between sensing an arm swiping through the air and being able to create a precise digital signature with a fingertip or pen. [B]What can I do with The Leap? [/B] The possibilities are endless, really. Computer power has grown exponentially over the years, but the way we interact with those computers has not. With LEAP, virtually every kind of application, across every industry, can be re-imagined. Art. Healthcare. Engineering. Operating Systems. Gaming. If you can imagine it, we’re pretty confident there’s a remarkable member of our developer community who is already working to create it. [B]What is Leap Motion technology?[/B] Leap Motion technology is a breakthrough in computer interaction, using a patented mathematical approach to 3D, touch-free motion sensing and motion control software that’s unlike anything that currently exists on the market or in academia. Developed over the past 4 years, Leap Motion moves far beyond the current technologies designed for distant arm waving. [B]How much does The Leap cost?[/B] The Leap will retail for [B]$69.99[/B], and a limited number are currently available for pre-order at LeapMotion.com. [B]How does The Leap impact computing?[/B] For decades people have been given a dream of what computers would be – from Star Trek holosuites to Tom Cruise swiping through Minority Report’s 3D computer interface. But it’s never made it out of the lab and into real life – until now. The ability to control any computer with nuanced hand and finger movements will fundamentally transform the way people interact with computers. [B]Who is The Leap ideal for?[/B] Everyone! We envision a day in the near future when our motion control technology will be used in most consumer products – not just computers, but cars, appliances, medical devices, light switches and more. There are already many great uses for a variety of people. Artists and creative types can use The Leap to emulate a stylus or easily create 3D images. Anyone can use The Leap to interact with Windows 7/8 or Mac OS X by clicking, grabbing, scrolling and using familiar gestures like pinch to zoom in 3D space. Users pointing a pen at the signature line of a document to sign it in space. Engineers can interact more easily with 3D modeling software. Gamers can play more easily and many will modify with Leap in mind. Surgeons can control 3D medical data with their hands without taking off their gloves. [B]Who is LEAP? How did you get started?[/B] The original inspiration behind Leap came from our frustration with 3D modeling— something that took 10 seconds in real life would take 30 minutes with a computer. Molding virtual clay with a computer should be as easy as molding clay in the real world. The mouse and keyboard were simply getting in the way. Could we figure out a way to control computers in a better, more natural way—and without settling for the limitations of available technology? After four years of hard work, we’ve got the answer. Now it’s time to have fun. [B]What makes Leap Motion stand out?[/B] Leap Motion is the only technology focused on bringing motion control to the desktop – rather than trying to take what’s been built for TV (large gesture sensing) and make it work for computers. We incorporate natural motions and finger tracking in far greater detail and sensitivity, than any product on the market. The Leap is ~100x more accurate than any other motion sensing/natural user interface on Earth. [B]How do I pre-order a LEAP?[/B] We have a limited number available for our first shipment this winter. Early birds catch the worm – so click here to order. We won’t charge you until the product is ready to ship. [B]How can I get a free developer kit?[/B] We’re distributing thousands of kits to qualified developers, because, well, we want to see what kinds of incredible things you can all do with our technology. So wow us. Actually, register to get the SDK and a free Leap device first, and then wow us. [B]Do you support windows?[/B] Yes! We also support native touch emulation for Windows 8. [B]How about Linux?[/B] Linux support is on the agenda. [B]When do dev-kits ship[/B] Depending on which batch you’re in; anywhere from 1-3 months. [B]What are the tech specifications for the LEAP?[/B] TBD. [B]What if I have a question that is not covered here?[/B] We have full-time staff dedicated to community outreach. Write [email]community@leapmotion.com[/email]. [B]Why does Leap Motion matter? What problem do you solve?[/B] Computers have always been remarkable. The ways we’ve connected to those computers, however, have always struck us as clunky. Typing? Seriously? That’s fine for writing a novel. But it’s hardly the most natural, intuitive way to communicate. It may seem unorthodox, but remember: all the big innovations have been viewed that way, too. Wireless. The horseless carriage. [B]Who are your partners?[/B] Our partners include many of the world’s largest companies. In the consumer electronics space for example, we expect to integrate our technology into tablets, smart phones, laptops and game systems. [B]Tell me about the Leap Motion team.[/B] Our initial technology breakthrough came from co-founder and CTO David Holz. David was working on a PhD in mathematics from UNC Chapel Hill and left to pursue Leap Motion. Before that, he was conducting research for NASA on fluid mechanics. Michael Buckwald is the CEO and co-founder. Prior to founding Leap Motion, Michael was the CEO of Zazuba.com. Michael and Dave are childhood friends from Florida. [B]From the pre-order page:[/B] We are estimating that these units will ship in December (2012) or January (2013). [/quote] [img]http://live.leapmotion.com/wp-content/themes/leaptheme/img/big2.jpg[/img] I for one think this thing looks freaking awesome, the accuracy of it as portrayed in the trailer looks unrivaled in terms of Kinect-like devices. I think it would be awesome to use for anything from 3D modeling programs to basic Windows 8 browsing.
Forgive me if this seems daft but honestly how the hell do they manage to view and model the top of the hand? I'd really like to know some of the technical background of this. It's awesome and even if it isn't very practical I want one!
[QUOTE=Most wanteD;36047132]Forgive me if this seems daft but honestly how the hell do they manage to view and model the top of the hand? I'd really like to know some of the technical background of this. It's awesome and even if it isn't very practical I want one![/QUOTE] They guesstimate. It's all about prediction, or maybe they don't need to.
More info on the technical details would be nice, but I suspect they have reasons for keeping that a secret. On the other hand, 69$ is incredibly cheap, and it seems like it would make a really nice drawing tablet.
Wow, seems very....intuitive
Okay it's not a fantastical idea; it's basically doing the same thing as the kinetic does by digitally mapping what appears in front of it, but since this was designed for the PC and not the XBOX, it could become pretty good. I may become interested in acquiring one, primarily so if either start making custom stuff for it as a community like "Rainmeter" for desktop customization and/or I can interface with it using java or any other programing language.
Looks like it would get very exhausting to use very fast.
TONY STARK
[QUOTE=SGTNAPALM;36048937]Looks like it would get very exhausting to use very fast.[/QUOTE] No more exhausting then propping your arm up on a table and moving your hand around if you're really lazy
Imagine the vast amount of porn / sex simulators this will unleash.
zoom and enhance technology
this looks like it would be pretty sweet to use, but only for stuff designed for it if you could use it properly in everyday computing like browsing the web or something then i'd buy it
[QUOTE=Most wanteD;36047132]Forgive me if this seems daft but honestly how the hell do they manage to view and model the top of the hand? I'd really like to know some of the technical background of this. It's awesome and even if it isn't very practical I want one![/QUOTE] I guess it knows that it's a hand, and then just fill in the top. Or it uses X-ray.
Not bad of a price honestly. I hope this takes off.
Now we just need HOLOGRAMS
I really want to know what kind of technology they're using to make this work.
$69 is very cheap for something like this. I may pick this up.
Mother of god, such a cool piece of kit and it's so cheap! I was expecting it to be in the hundreds. Pre-ordering ASAP.
I'd love to get this, but I wish it would go into more detail on developing for it, it almost sounds like you can only get applications for it through its own app store, which for me is a dealbreaker.
[QUOTE=BldrGyMnGy;36049036]TONY STARK[/QUOTE] You called?
[QUOTE=Haxxer;36059413]You called?[/QUOTE] We need an arc reactor and about a dozen of these. And some raw materials
[QUOTE=Most wanteD;36047132]Forgive me if this seems daft but honestly how the hell do they manage to view and model the top of the hand? I'd really like to know some of the technical background of this. It's awesome and even if it isn't very practical I want one![/QUOTE] I'd imagine that they have premade hand models, and it just reads the "bone" positions off of your fingers.
Pfft, Tony Stark. My Minority Report guys. But yeah just saw a small tidbit about this on Attack Of the Show. I hope it goes places, especially with that price tag.
Holy shit these look incredible. I'm actually thinking about pre-ordering one.
[QUOTE=Zombii;36062322]Holy shit these look incredible. I'm actually thinking about pre-ordering one.[/QUOTE] If you do it won't charge your account until it ships.
This hasn't been posted yet? For shame, Facepunch. For shame. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwVBzx0LMNQ[/media]
But his movements in that make no sense, so why bother posting it? The touch screens on NCIS: LA would have been a better post.
Cover a room in these and make it a full 3-D body scanner.
The price is a really, really good thing. Now other businesses can't make something similar and sell it at 300 dollars with the Kinects price as an excuse.
Well, I put in my preorder. I'm really interested in the quality of this. I'm sure it'll take some getting used to. But I look at it as I can hook up my computer to my bigger TV across the room and control it from my couch with hand gestures. This really could make an awesome product if it's a smooth as they make it out to be via the magic of video.
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