Look Ma, No Mouse. Human-Computer Interaction Using Hand Gestures

Imagine taking a virtual flight over the Yosemite valley. You are in control of the flight - you soar up through the clouds, you dive deep into the ravines, you fly in whichever direction you please - all by simply moving your hand in thin air. No gloves to wear and no complex keyboard commands to remember. You have absolutely no devices to control - you point a finger, pretend that your hand is a fighter-jet and just fly. Today's home computers are becoming increasingly powerful while becoming very affordable. Complex real-time animations that required high-end graphics-workstations a few years ago can now be done on home computers equipped with inexpensive graphics-cards. A whole suite of interactive 3D applications is now accessible to the average user. Examples range from molecular simulators to 3D presentation tools that allow manipulation of virtual objects. However, what has not changed is the complex interface to these applications. 3D fly-thrus, for example, require intricate maneuvers and learning the input controls is extremely painstaking unless, of course, you are a teenager. The problem is with the way we communicate with computers.