Thalmic Labs, based in Kitchener, Ontario has developed a new hardware wristband that will allow users to control tablets, computers, drones, and a slew of other devices with a wireless wristband. The new hardware is called the MYO and is available for pre-order right now for a paltry $149.99. We expect this technology to give Kinect and other services a run for their money.
The MYO senses gestures and movements in two ways: 1) muscle activity, and 2) motion sensing. When sensing the muscle movements of the user, the device can detect changes in hand gesture right down to each individual finger. When tracking the positioning in space of the arm and hand, the device can detect subtle movements all directions. Right now it is fully compatible with MAC, PC, Android, and iOS, but is subject to developers adding the functionality for it.
“As a company, we’re interested in how we can use technology to enhance our abilities as humans – in short, giving us ‘superpowers’.” explains Stephen Lake, co-founder and CEO of Thalmic Labs on the motivation behind MYO. “We”re excited to see how the MYO blurs the lines between us and digital technology.”
I think adding this technology to popular tablets would be a game changer. Instead of interacting with the touchscreen exclusively, you could merely gesture. This would be perfect for cooking in the kitchen and not wanting to make your device dirty. It would also be useful for having your device on a charging dock and being able to switch songs or flip pages in an ebook without going near it. If you have ever had a gathering of people and everyone wants to play songs from YOUTUBE or other streaming services, you can do it without needing a remote or keyboard.
We have all already heard of Google Glasses, the augmented reality eye-wear that will be dropping by to say HI in the next year or two. Could you imagine these two things paired with each other? Really exciting stuff.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
