2D hand gesture recognition breakthrough

4th April 2014

Nat Bowers

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Software developed by researchers at the University of Warwick could mean that mobile phones will soon be turned into hand gesture recognition (HGR) devices. Following a technological breakthrough, this software would allow the 2D cameras in everyday consumer electronic products, such as mobile phones and tablet computers, to become HGR devices in uncontrolled environments with both natural and artificial light.

Since the early 1990s HGR has been intensively researched in both academic and industrial communities, but until now there have been no successful academic theories or commercial products that have performed robust HGR in uncontrolled environments. Existing HGR technologies require infrared or 3D cameras and will only work in artificial light and have been limited to the gaming industry and smart TVs. This technology, which can also recognise both gesture and posture, is more economical, practical to use and opens up the possibilities of HGR being used in the automotive, health and consumer electronics sectors.Analysts at Markets and Markets predict that the global gesture recognition market is due to grow from $0.3bn (USD) last year to an $11.03bn (USD) industry by the end of 2020. The inventors believe that the new technology could potentially have a wide-range of real-world uses.

Co-inventor, Yi Yao argues: “Surgeons, who currently cannot use traditional computers in operating rooms, could search hands-free for data or switch between appliances and similarly, whilst cooking in the kitchen, we could instruct our mobile phones to take a call on speaker or switch to music or video. Consumers are already aware of existing HGR technology being used, and not always working, with gaming consoles and smart TV."

Discussing the technological advance made by the technology, co-inventor Professor Chang-Tsun Li from the Department of Computer Science said: “ the research is a highly significant breakthrough when compared to the existing technology that can only function in isolated and non-real life environments. Along with the ability to continue working when other people are moving in the background, adapt to changing lighting conditions and to cope when the hand temporarily moves out of sight, our research not only goes beyond existing HGR technology, but it also makes it practical and easily available for consumers.”

A patent application has been filed to PCT (International) Stage.