Fujitsu's 3D Motion Software Turns Your Webcam Into a Kinect

[Steven Bogos]

Fujitsu's 3D Motion Software Turns Your Webcam Into a Kinect

Previously, 3D motion detection was only possible with specialized equipment, but Fujitsu claims its software will work on a standard webcam.

The new and improved Kinect was one of the only positives people took from Microsoft's Xbox One reveal event, and Fujitsu may have just made it obsolete with the unveiling of a revolutionary 3D motion detection software that works with a standard PC webcam. "It might not be long before the computer mouse is obsolete," claims Fujitsu, saying that its software will allow users to flick their wrists and tap the air to navigate through links and menus. We're getting closer and closer to Minority Report-style holographic computers.

Fujitsu, Japan's largest IT service provider, collaborated with its Chinese research and development branch to develop the technology. Up until now, motion sensors of this kind only worked in two dimensions, up-down and left-right. 3D motion detection was only possible with multiple cameras or special light emissions to measure depth. However, Fujitsu's new technology will work with any single-lens camera, meaning you will probably be able to use it with the webcam that is attached to your PC/Notebook right now.

"Everything from clicking on menu items to zooming in and out on a page will soon be possible without so much as touching your computer," says Fujitsu. The technology apparently works by watching the palm of your hand and how it moves. It is able to work in 3D by detecting the size of your hand: the bigger your hand is, the closer it is to the screen and vice versa. Fujitsu claims the device has "accuracy of about 90%."

Microsoft recently announced that the next-generation Kinect for Xbox One will also be Kinect-enabled devices during the Xbox One reveal event [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124316-Next-Gen-Kinect-is-Coming-to-Windows-PCs].

Fujitsu hopes to first increase its production of the device, postponing its release to the consumer market until 2014.

Source: Rocket News 24 [http://pr.fujitsu.com/jp/news/2013/05/20.html]

Permalink

 

[Roxor]

Tracking the users' hand alone sounds like a case of overspecialisation. Not to mention that it sounds like a pain to use. We're not built for holding our arms out for long periods of time. When will these companies learn that?

 

[Evil Smurf]

Tracking the users' hand alone sounds like a case of overspecialisation. Not to mention that it sounds like a pain to use. We're not built for holding our arms out for long periods of time. When will these companies learn that?

But this is a cool application of technology. I'd like to use this on my computer

 

[Roxor]

Tracking the users' hand alone sounds like a case of overspecialisation. Not to mention that it sounds like a pain to use. We're not built for holding our arms out for long periods of time. When will these companies learn that?

But this is a cool application of technology. I'd like to use this on my computer

You'll use it for ten minutes before your arm gets worn out and you go back to using the keyboard and mouse. Novelty is about all these camera-based inputs have going for them. Once that wears off, you'll be grumbling about the money you wasted on it.

 

[RA92]

Sounds rather cool, but I'm keeping my mouse, thanks.

Kinect/Wiimote/Move didn't make console gamers lose their controllers, did they?

 

[Callate]

I don't know; there are times when it might not be bad to have such an optional available in addition to a mouse. I can certainly think of times where it would have been far more convenient to be able to zoom in on an image without having to click de-select "select" and select "zoom", for example.

In any case, I'll look forward to seeing what they can come up with with the technology, as long as they don't try to press it into an overdone gimmick.

(Don't sell it to Microsoft...)

 

[neppakyo]

Hmm japanese company. Bet it's main use is going to be for those weird japanese porn games. Rub some tits and get your score up!

 

[RicoADF]

Am I the only one thats hapoy with his keyboard and mouse with touchscreen as an attachment/specialized use? Honestly waving ny arms around is more work than simply moving your mouse, control interface is about reducing the effort not raising it :-S

 

[Xman490]

Kinect/Wiimote/Move didn't make console gamers lose their controllers, did they?

The Wiimote is basically a rounded NES controller with motion detection. Move is like that but with the buttons only allowing for the vertical position of pointing. Kinect is not a hand-held controlling device. I like playing with the Wiimote by pointing, NES-controlling, and using attachments. Move seems too limited, and Kinect seems too demanding.
So your answer from me is "no."

Anyways, it's almost sad that Microsoft is going to lose its specialness in "your body is the controller" soon. Almost sad now, but sad if they really prove they bring good products.

 

[The_Blue_Rider]

Tracking the users' hand alone sounds like a case of overspecialisation. Not to mention that it sounds like a pain to use. We're not built for holding our arms out for long periods of time. When will these companies learn that?

But this is a cool application of technology. I'd like to use this on my computer

You'll use it for ten minutes before your arm gets worn out and you go back to using the keyboard and mouse. Novelty is about all these camera-based inputs have going for them. Once that wears off, you'll be grumbling about the money you wasted on it.

LIES!!! its obvious from mass effect this is the future of computing !

i always wondered how everyone in those games managed to use those controls for extended periods

Im assuming you're talking about Omni Tools and those holographic keyboards? I cant remember how but those things are actually solid

 

[Smooth Operator]

Sorry but no, you could use any old digital camera for motion detection since digital cameras came out, the reason nobody used it is because this is the worst form of input known to mankind.

Not to mention webcams are known for two things, inaccuracy and lag, now guess which two things are critical to usable controls.

 

[Strazdas]

Oneo ne hand its good that they kinda beat kinect and its "we worked on it 10 years omg omg" stupidity. on another hand they said ouse is bosolete, and for that they deserve to be put in a special kind of hell.

 

[Oskuro]

This is great.

Regardless of the usefulness of this control scheme, making an overpriced piece of hardware obsolete by means of software and dirt-cheap webcams is fantastic.

To the very least, even if it can't really compete with the Kinect performance-wise, it will crack the "we are the only ones doing this" armor Microsoft has with their device.

 

[JediMB]

"It might not be long before the computer mouse is obsolete," claims Fujitsu

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

...

Oh, wait, they're serious?

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

*clears throat*

No, we're unlikely to see anything making the mouse obsolete until we're able to send the computers commands straight from our brains. Or at least until they've improved those glove-based peripherals that basically simulate a mouse. The mouse won't be replaced by anything that makes day-to-day computer usage more of a chore.

 

[Marak Daga]

while i agree with a traditional computer setup it would be akward and pain inducing to use at the moment. but if the monitor is further away (i currently use a large hd tv as my pc monitor) the camera can cover a much wider area. IF the tracking is good enough to pick small movements up on my couch then great. i can see excellent applications for this such as 3d modelling and audio creation hell and some gaming. of course id always have my kb and mouse for precision but thats not always 100% necessary.

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

I for one, welcome our Minority Report style overlords computer interfaces

Tracking the users' hand alone sounds like a case of overspecialisation. Not to mention that it sounds like a pain to use. We're not built for holding our arms out for long periods of time. When will these companies learn that?

But this is a cool application of technology. I'd like to use this on my computer

You'll use it for ten minutes before your arm gets worn out and you go back to using the keyboard and mouse. Novelty is about all these camera-based inputs have going for them. Once that wears off, you'll be grumbling about the money you wasted on it.

Bull. I have this thing called a desk and an elbow. I'll just rest my elbow on my desk and it won't hurt to keep my arm extended. Everyone already does it to support their head

Spoiler: case in point

 

[madster11]

Kinect's major advantage over Fujitsu's technology is its voice activation technology, which is apparently so accurate it was able to mess with some user's Kinect-enabled devices during the Xbox One reveal event [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/124281-Kinect-Causes-Trouble-for-Viewers-During-Xbox-One-Reveal].

Windows has had that build in since before the kinect was released.

 

[TakeyB0y2]

If I could keep the arm I would use for using the mouse on an armrest with my hand hanging over the end of the armrest, and the camera below it facing upwards... Yeah, I could actually roll with that. But the camera in front of me facing towards me requiring me to raise my arm? Nu-uh.

Captcha: "On the ball"... Huh... Maybe I am? Maybe my idea might fix the problem with this invention

 

[Agayek]

Im assuming you're talking about Omni Tools and those holographic keyboards? I cant remember how but those things are actually solid

The user wears a glove with chips inside it (or sometimes has them implanted) that are tied to the display and give haptic feedback when they press against the hologram.

/randomlorefagmoment