After reading the Horizon Report-2011, I couldn't help bot to be impressed by the Gesture-Based Computing section. When I think about gesture-based computing, I cannot help my mind wandering to the Iron Man movies with Tony Stark's awe inspiring computers. With the flick of the wrist or a touch of a finger, he completely controls his interface.
In my mind, this seems so far off, it's is silly to even envy the character's super computing, but Horizon Report reminded me that we do have gestured computing now and use it every day. Muli-touch screens and other devices that respond to your touch or movement have been in our lives for some time now. Wii Sports that blew up the gaming world in 2006 was definitely a time to remember as families and friends gathered in the living room for hours to play this innovative game (at least mine did).
I think what I think is most exciting about this push for gesture- based computing is what doors it will open up for people with some sort of handicap. Recently, I stumbled upon a video that was very uplifting thanks this technology.
A man devoted to his art was almost fully paralyzed with Lou Gehrig's disease. He thought he could never draw again until the technology EyeWriter was presented to him. With this device, Tony is able to draw with his eyes and have it projected onto buildings and surfaces using a PS3 camera connected to glasses with free software. See the amazing video here.
I think what people sometimes forget is that innovative technology doesn't have to be expensive. Technology should be something everyone has access to and it is my hope as we move toward new technologies that schools will be open to new ways to accessing the newest products for the students.
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