http://www.oblong.com
G-Speak:
Gesture-based UI developed by John Underkoffler. G-speak operates on a system of high-end motion capture cameras that track the user's (or users') fingers and hand motions in real three-dimensional space. The user must use a specially designed pair of gloves in order for the system to correctly read his hand gestures. These hand gestures are then translated into commands for the G-speak operating system, which is designed to operate on top of extant operating systems such as OSX, Windows, and Linux. G-speak is specifically designed to organize content and information in a three-dimensional manner, and then allow the user to navigate that three-dimensional space in order to view data from different points of view - hopefully leading to new and more effective solutions.
Mezzanine:
Digital conference room. Mezzanine operates on the same underlying framework as G-speak, but without the gloves. Instead, Mezzanine provides the user with a wand that acts as a 3-D mouse - allowing the user to drag and drop content between any of the various displays (a front triptych and any number of "digital cork boards"), as well as navigate the main presentation. Currently this technology is available at the corporate level, as it is not yet cost effective to implement for casual users. It is Oblong's hope that this technology will streamline meetings and make them much more collaborative.
Greenhouse:
Oblong's development suite that is available for free for non-commercial applications. The greenhouse toolkit allows developers to build their own programs with the same underlying spatial and gestural framework as the Mezzanine conferencing setup.
Leap-Motion, Inc:
https://www.leapmotion.com/
Leap Motion Controller:
Motion capture controller designed for use with a personal computer. The Leap Motion Controller is intended to be used in tandem with all of the other input systems and devices on the user's computer. The device does not require any special equipment, the user plugs it in, downloads the Airspace software, and then begins using it. While recognition is fairly high fidelity for such an affordable device ($80), a noticeable drawback is user fatigue - the Leap Motion registers movement best at a height of 12-18 inches above its receiver. This means that users will be required to hold their arms up and out in front of them, as opposed to rested on a desk.
Airspace:
A dedicated space for apps that are designed with the Leap Motion Controller specifically in mind. Apps range from education and productivity to several games. Of note is the app Touchless, that integrates the Leap gestures with commands in the user's operating system. This is where some complaints come in, as some commands become frustrating or simply less intuitive than when using an app that is specifically designed for Leap interface.
Leap Motion has also made available its toolkit available to independent coders and developers looking to create apps for the Leap Motion Controller.
Microsoft:
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/kinect
Kinect:
Developed originally as Project Natal, the Kinect was released in 2010. The device operates in tandem with the Xbox 360 game console, but a model was released in 2012 that operates with Windows PCs. The Kinect utilizes motion-sensing, gesture recognition, and voice recognition in one package. Marketed for use with video games, the Kinect is intended to immerse the users more fully in the experience by turning their bodies into the controllers.
Continuing the trend of involving users in the creative process, Microsoft has relaxed their original viewpoint and consented to making an open-source driver for the Kinect available to the public.
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