Future Input Devices

Input Devices of the Future

Get ready to cast aside your keyboard and mouse. Future computer input devices will rely heavily on the movements of our eyes, head, hands, body and the words that we speak. But are you ready for a computer that can read your mind? let's check out the latest developments in computer-human interaction...

Body Movement Input Devices

Body movement input devices are perhaps the easiest step to take in terms of evolving input device technology. These devices will track eye, foot or body position with a magnetic tracker or 3D tracker and mirror those movements on your computer screen. These devices are already in development, and some demographics are already using them. For example, people with mobility disabilities like paralysis or MS, can use head position trackers to help them use their computers.

Voice Input Devices

Voice input technology is already available, however, right now the technology is still pretty limited. Right now the voice recognition software that is on the market can only interpret voice commands as a dictation device. The future of voice input devices will allow users to carrying on a complete conversation with their computer. For example, you will be able to tell you computer that you need to set up a spreadsheet and it will respond by opening your spreadsheet software program and a blank project. The stalling point of this technology is the problem of speaker-independent continuous voice recognition. Dragon Naturally Speaking is recognized as a leader in voice recognition software, and with some training, it can do a pretty impressive job of transcribing continuous speech into a word processor.

Virtual Reality Input Devices

Some of the coolest developments are in the virtual reality arena. These devices will utilize both 3D trackers and wearable input devices to correlate your body movements with computer commands. This will allow computer users to transition from a 2D work environment to a 3D work environment. These input devices will give computer users a more interactive experience and allow them to work with more complex programs or gaming environments. One example that ties into a popular video game is the Wii Power Glove

A CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) is a room in which the walls are giant projection-screen monitors. Users can move around in a CAVE system with 3D goggles and a glove or controller wand in order to interact with virtual objects.

Brain-Computer Interface Devices

The most fantastic of all future input devices has to be the brain wave detection input device. To use this device you will simply have to think about what you want your computer to do and the computer will respond accordingly. It will have sensors that will be able to receive your brain waves and interpret them as a computer command. Can you imagine, composing a term paper or business report just by thinking about what you want to write? Already there are some devices that use EEG and biofeedback technology to detect brain waves and create brain-computer interfaces.

The Future of Input Devices

The future of input devices is limited only by the imaginations and innovations of developers. These devices will undoubtedly be an improvement over the current plugged in manual discrete devices that computers currently use, but will also have their own limitations. What is certain is that new technology is on its way and consumers are ready to try it out.

Do you have comments on questions about future input devices? Post your thoughts below - using the input device you prefer.