Myo, Hands Free at a Whole New Level

by | Sep 1, 2014 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

myo

From a basic keyboard to the Xbox Kinect, human-computer interaction is rapidly increasing in order to allow us to do more with technology. Companies are creating more complex devices to make our lives easier and give us more control. Startup company Thalmic Labs has created the Myo armband to give us control of electronics by just using our arms. The one size fits all armband connects to Bluetooth enabled devices and gives you capabilities to control anything from music players and videogames to quadcopters. Each Myo is also sweat proof, just in case you break a sweat waving your arms around all day while conducting commands.

Myo works by recognizing the electrical activities that your muscles produce during certain hand gestures and remembers them. You can even program your Myo to your own custom gestures such as giving a thumbs up or snapping your fingers as a form of command. You can then set each gesture to perform a certain task on compatible applications. The multiplatform Myo is currently compatible with Windows, Macs, iOS and Android devices and software.

Currently, developers are linking the Myo system with the new Oculus system in order to create an even more heightened, controller-less virtual reality. With the Myo and Oculus, you can use weapons, cast spells or fly planes with just hand gestures. One other amazing implementation of the Myo is the new Google Glass, which gives the user the ability to record or take photos, scroll through texts, and even call certain people with just a gesture.

With a Developer Kit being sold, software developers are thinking of new uses for this amazing technology and are uploading their software to the developer’s site to share with everyone. Thalmic Labs will also be constantly creating new software compatibilities for the Myo and increasing the amount of usable technology. The Developer Kit is available online for $149.00, which includes the Myo and access to the SDK. The consumer Myo is set to ship this September for $149.00 and comes in either white or black.

-Kamil Sokolowski

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