As the likes of the Oculus Rift reignite interest in augmented and virtual reality headsets, companies start thinking of controllers complementing such equipment-- such as Singapore-based Intellect Motion with the iMotion device.
Reminiscent of the control gloves donned by Tom Cruise in science fiction film Minority Report (an unsurprising inspiration for the 9-strong team), the iMotion controllers allow for what Intellect Motion claims is "pinpoint-accurate 3D motion control" complete with haptic feedback, creating what amounts to a virtual touchscreen (or "giant motion sensitive space") in front of the user.
The system itself consists of a pair of mouse-sized devices users straps to their palms via velcro. Each device establishes user hand position within 3D space via combination of gyroscope, accelerometer and 3 LED lights feeding x, y and z coordinates to a regular webcam.
Intellect Motion says wireless operational range reaches nearly 5m via Bluetooth, with input "6 times faster" and "10 times more accurate" than the competition.
Marketed primarily as a companion accessory to VR goggles, the iMotion will also be compatible with smartphones and tablets as well as Windows, Mac and Linux PCs.
The controller is already available in working prototype form, and the developers are currently using Kickstarter for further funding and pre-orders before it hits the market sometime during 2014.
