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The prototype, created by Anh Nguyen and Amy Banic from the University of Wyoming in Laramie,
lets users interact with their computers just
like a computer mouse except by moving a finger,
and could replace the mouse, some believe.
Named 3DTouch, The device works with a 3D accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope, similar to those found in
smartphones.
A button on the surface of the forefinger
functions like the left-click function of a traditional
mouse and the device uses "optical flow" sensors to track movement against any flat surface.
"3DTouch enables users to use their fingers or thumb as a 3D input device with the capability of performing 3D selection, translation and rotation," the researchers explained in a short video posted on
YouTube.
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"It is designed to fill the missing gap of a 3D input device that is self-contained, mobile and universally working across various 3D platforms," they said. "With 3DTouch, we attempted to bring 3D interaction and applications a step closer to users in everyday life."
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