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Motion-sensitive laptops under development

01/05/07 – BT are working on a system that will allow the production of motion-sensitive laptops that can be controlled through movement. The system, called BT Balance, can make using computers easier for people with disabilities or the elderly who find using keyboards difficult.
The software and hardware that allows Tablet PCs to be movement controlled is being developed at the telecoms giant's research facility in Ipswich.

BT wants the motion-sensitive laptops to be as simple and easy to use as an Etch-a-Sketch.

BT researcher David Chatting said: "We want to give people access to services in as simple a manner as possible.

"PCs are still very complicated. We are interested in the older user who is slightly fearful of this technology. The PC, monitor and mouse puts them off."

Reading books and documents will be rendered far easier with it only taking a flip of the laptop to turn pages.

The system works through a combination of a microchip, called an accelerometer, that monitors motion and a software system that interprets the movements.

The accelerometer works in a similar manner to the balance system in a human ear and they are used in the Nintendo Wiimote and car airbags.

It utilises a Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMs) that detects changes in the gravity and acceleration of an object in comparison to the earth's static gravity field.

Mr Chatting added: "The demo we have running can help people read books on a laptop, a photograph application to orientate the picture dependent on how the laptop is held.

"We are also interested in developing communication tools via BT Balance. For example, 'how can someone remote from a parent or loved one use it for day to day tasks - such as leaving messages?'."

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<a href="http://www.pulsewebhosting.com/news/motion-sensitive-laptops-under-development/85/" title="Motion-sensitive laptops under development">Motion-sensitive laptops under development</a> Published Date: 2007-05-01 12:14:56

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