GPlacencia.com

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab Fluid Interfaces Group researchers have developed Sixth Sense, a gesture-controlled wearable computing device that provides information and can turn any surface into an interactive display. Sixth Sense uses object recognition to initiate different virtual devices and Web-based information in ways that are similar to the advanced interfaces in the movie "Minority Report." Sixth Sense's interface uses a Web camera and portable battery-powered projector with a small mirror to detect objects and project interfaces. The prototype device, built using off-the-shelf components, communicates with a cell phone and can be worn around the neck. Sixth Sense is intended to more seamlessly integrate online information and technology into everyday life. MIT professor Pattie Maes says the device is named Sixth Sense because it makes information available for decision-making beyond what people can access with their five senses. In addition to projecting information onto any surface, Sixth Sense can turn a hand into a virtual keypad for making calls, display a wristwatch on a bare wrist, take a photo when users hold their index fingers and thumbs up to make a frame, and project related videos onto newspaper articles being read.