Team members:
- Dillon Krasovec
- Robert Glissman
- Ben Walker
- Patrick Hanschen
- Jerod Ellingson
Computers have seen rapid advancements in power and visual presentation, but the interfaces with which we control the computer, namely the mouse and keyboard, have remained essentially unchanged for over 20 years. This project proposes to develop a general interface tool that not only replaces the mouse, and supplements the keyboard, but also can be extended to controlling other devices. The problem with conventional software interfaces is that they are hindered by deep, confusing menus that the user must mine through, or many different ambiguous keyboard shortcuts that must be remembered. For example, in CAD software the user may simultaneously need to hold multiple keys and use the mouse or hunt through menus to switch contexts, to manipulate three-dimensional objects as desired. The problem is that there is a steep learning curve before new users have enough experience to exploit the full functionality of the software, which results in loss of productivity. To demonstrate the glove's capacity as a general interface device, an additional target application is in piloting RC helicopters, which are notoriously difficult to control by way of conventional controllers. A successful solution is therefore an interface device that leverages some interface mechanism that people use to interact with their environment on a daily basis. People use their hands everyday to manipulate and manage their environment, and therefore the hands present the most intuitive interface for enabling users to interact with virtual objects, as well.