SixthSense is a usable gestural interface device comprising a neckworn pendant that contains both a data projector and camera. The neckworn projector and camera combination was first proposed by MIT Media Lab student Steve Mann. The concept was further developed by Pranav Mistry, while he was also a student at the MIT Media Lab. Mistry is now a team leader in Samsung Electronics's Silicon Valley office.
Construction and workings
- The SixthSense technology contain a pocket projector, a mirror and a camera contained in a pendant-like, wearable device.
- Both the projector the camera and sensors are connected to a mobile computing device in the user’s pocket.
- The projector projects visual information enabling surfaces, walls and physical objects around us to be used as interfaces; while the camera recognizes and tracks users' hand gestures and physical objects using computer-vision based techniques.
- The software program processes the video stream data captured by the camera and tracks the locations of the colored markers (visual tracking fiducials) at the tips of the user’s fingers.
- The movements and arrangements of these fiducials are interpreted into gestures that act as interaction instructions for the projected application interfaces. SixthSense supports multi-touch and multi-user interaction.
Example applications
The SixthSense prototype contains a number of demonstration applications.- The map application lets the user navigate a map displayed on a nearby surface using hand gestures to zoom and pan
- The drawing application lets the user draw on any surface by tracking the fingertip movements of the user’s index finger.
- SixthSense also implements augmented reality; projecting information onto objects the user interacts with. For example a paper newspaper can be augmented with projected dynamic live information.
- The system recognizes a user's free hand gestures as well as icons/symbols drawn in the air with the index finger, for example:
- A 'framing' gesture takes a picture of the scene. The user can stop by any surface or wall and flick through the photos he/she has taken.
- Drawing a magnifying glass symbol takes the user to the map application while an ‘@’ symbol lets the user check his mail.
- The gesture of drawing a circle on the user’s wrist projects an analog watch.
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