4.4. Peripheral and I/O Hardware
New & Future Possibilities
Like all of computing, research is on-going for various kinds of input & output devices. Among the moving forces are the computer game and entertainment industries. Here, we quickly survey some new devices/techniques – sorry, no holodeck yet. There are lots of links that you can peruse. Special Education and Physical Therapy majors, along with others, may want to try the search to the right.
assistive technology devices
Input Devices
Gesture recognition
There are many ways to apply gesture input to computers. I will mention just a few recent developments:
- traditional computers
- Toshiba AirSwing, with just a webcam
- Mobile phone gestures
- Android's Gesture search
- Wii and Kinect
Child running a beta version of a computer vision algorithm trained to detect hands
By Comixboy at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0, GFDL or CC-BY-2.5], from Wikimedia Commons
Gesture input demo on Ultrabook by Intel
Texas Instruments
(scroll down a bit)
Evoluce Multi-Touch
Speech Recognition
Once considered the ultimate goal in "user friendly" interfaces, speech recognition now works pretty well. While, the search for the perfect interface continues, speech recognition is now common in mobile devices for texting (SMS), providing search keywords, and non-critical command applications.
android voice commands
speech recognition
Speech Recognition on Mac, Windows, iPad and iPhone (Part 2)
Eye Tracking [src]
Eye tracking is the process of measuring either the point of gaze ("where we are looking") or the motion of an eye relative to the head. An eye tracker is a device for measuring eye positions and eye movement. Eye tracking has been successfully used as an assistive technology for those unable to use regular input devices. And somewhat less succesfully in glasses.
Hololens vs Google Glass Comparison
Safety research
Assistive Tech for ALS
Assistive Tech severe cerebral palsy
Brain-Computer Interface [src]
A brain-computer interface (BCI), sometimes called a direct neural interface or a brain-machine interface, is a direct communication pathway between the brain and an external device. BCIs are often aimed at assisting, augmenting or repairing human cognitive or sensory-motor functions.
Brain computer interface
Brain computer interface
Example BCI
Recommended!
Output Devices
3D Screens
3D has become quite popular in the entertainment industry. Games have also moved into 3D. But what about 3D computer monitors? And, please, no glasses.
Samsung Shows 3D LCD Display
Philips 3D TV - 3D WOWvx Display
LG Optimus 3D: mobile phone
Haptic Interfaces
Haptic interfaces have to do with the sense of touch. Once again mobile phones and gaming are leading the way, at least in the commercial market.
Virtual 3D Tactile Touch (glove)
haptic interfaces and devices
Haptic Touchscreen Technology
3D Printing
Sending a FAX takes on a whole new meaning after you see what can be done with 3D printers.
3D printing
Desktop manufacturing
'Printing' human organs with 3D bio-printer
