Gizmodo: glove

HandTalk Glove Turns Sign Language Into Words via Cellphone

Sean Fallon — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Attempts at making a glove into a communication device for the deaf have been going on for years now, but a group of undergraduate computer engineering students at Carnegie Melon have come up with what has to be the most practical design to date. The main difference being that it translates sign messages through a cellphone as opposed to a bulky computer. And the best part is that the device uses fairly inexpensive materials to work its magic.

Basically, the glove operates using flexor strips in the fingers that send signals to a chip regarding their position. The chip interprets that data then sends it wirelessly to a cellphone configured with a vocabulary that corresponds with the gestures. The cellphone converts that information into a text message and then into speech using an off-the-shelf program. So far, HandTalk has been able to learn 15 of the 26 letters in the American Sign Language alphabet, and the team plans on adding pressure sensors and accelerometers to account for more complex gestures that make up the difference. With any luck, the HandTalk glove will be ready for a real-world testing in 3 or 4 months.

It sounds great, but I think Jason Chen put it best when he asked: "I wonder what it'll convert this gesture into":
[Pittsburg Post Gazette via talk2myshirt]

RallyPoint Combat Glove for Computing Under Fire

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:10:00 EDT

Wearable computers may be a reality in today's army, but use is restricted to safe environs like a bunker or an armored vehicle—out in the open, soldiers' priority is keeping hold of their guns. The RallyPoint Handwear Computer Input Device is unique in that it is designed specifically to be used even while the soldier is gripping a gun or a steering wheel. It's full of sensors—maybe too many:

• Four fingertip pushbuttons for common functions like push-to-talk
• Index fingertip sensor for map or mouse mode selection
• Lower index finger for switching radio channels
• Pinky fingertip for map zoom or, in mouse mode, mouse-click
• Middle fingertip is "anywhere mouse" trackpad that is engaged when press against a hard surface like a gun or a wall
• Accelerometers in wrist track Wii-like gestures for sending messages, etc.

The glove has been in development for a few years, but has just been taken up by the US Army for testing at the Natick Soldier Systems Center. It's insanely cool, and something with clear real-world applications—and not just for you, Zoltan. But still, I keep wondering exactly how smart it is to make the tip of the index (aka trigger) finger a sensor that's to be used while your holding a gun. No wonder they show it here with a plastic toy instead of a real gun with live ammo. [Technology Review
via KurzweilAI]

Vie GPS Sports Glove Does it All

Sean Fallon — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:20:28 EST

Designer Du Tran Nguyen envisions the Verva Vie Sports Glove as the ultimate piece of sporting equipment. Like many current products, the Vie would allow users to use GPS to develop workouts, map routes and send out distress beacons. However, this concept takes those technologies a step further by offering an interface that can be controlled with one hand thanks to strain gauges embedded in the glove fingers that interact with an E-ink screen.

The designer suggests that the Vie could also be used in other sports to communicate plays or to share information with other athletes with a simple handshake. Since safety is a primary concern, one application of this technology would be to share health information with training partners. If a user is in danger, a distress signal could be sent to other gloves, or directly to the police or hospital in the case of a serious emergency. Since the device would also be monitoring vitals, this would even include SOS signals at the first signs of heart failure—a good thing considering that you will probably be around 90 by the time this thing sees the light of day. In the meantime the Garmin Forerunner 405 would be a suitable substitute. [Design Awards via Gizmowatch via Gearfuse]

Snowboard Glove Concept Controls Your iPod via Non-Romantic Gestures

Jason Chen — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 14:17:34 EDT

This is a demonstration of the previously seen iPod glove control concept, allowing snowboarders to control their music without reaching into a pocket and fiddling with the not-made-for-gloves Click Wheel. As you can see, different combinations of finger presses bring up tracks in Postal Service's serviceable studio album, which look like an awkward thing to do while you're trying to avoid being tree'd. The upshot is we'd hate to fall, try and catch ourselves, and accidentally turn up the volume with an unintended gesture and blast out our ears. [YouTube]

Japanese Develop "Tangible 3D" Glove

kthompson — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:50:38 EDT

We all knew those tacky 3D shades were just the beginning. A Japanese company is claiming to have ditched the geeky glasses and developed realistic 3D imaging technology that, when coupled with their sensor-packed glove, allows you to see and feel images. Yes, you can finally get your mitts on those crazy characters you've been swiping at since you were a kid. It gets crazier:

The "tangible 3D" system allows users to be connected and transformed into 3D images in real-time. If you're holding hands with the virtual representation of your spuse and he or she walks off screen, apparently your hand will feel the tug as s/he leaves your pseudo-grasp. The developer, NTT Comware, is reportedly exploring commercialization options including video phones, but there are limitless possibilities out there for this kind of technology. The gaming industry, internet pornography sites and museums are a few of the potentially big buyers, but time will tell if this is truly a revolutionary breakthrough or just another gimmick destined for cereal boxes in the near future. [Yahoo News]

Get Medieval On Your Hand

www.gizmodo.com — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:40:00 EDT

Whether you are a speed whittler, an oyster shucker, or a pimp looking to make an authoritative fashion statement, a chainmail glove could be of some use. Pair it with a matching chainmail iPod case, or wear it solo, like Michael Jackson back when he wasn't scary. Whatever you do, its vendor warns you not to use it with power tools. Something to do with electric current coursing through your palm until you have nothing but a charred stump. Go figure.–Wilson Rothman

Chain Mail Glove [Kevin Kelly — Cool Tools]

Can't Sleep? Love Yourself With Aromahand

Charlie White — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 11:00:53 EDT

Attention one-handed typists: Put the Aromahand on that all-important non-typing hand, and it's certain to smell a whole lot better than that tube sock you've been using. Aromahand's makers have a more serious purpose, citing the benefits of aromatherapy as a basis for the effectiveness of this special glove stuffed with lavender, sage, organic blends, and flax seed.

We especially like the well-produced video on Aromahand's website, urging those poor stressed-out individuals to just use the hand when the going gets tough. It's hard to tell if this is a joke or not, especially when the company's slogan is "I love my hand." One thing that's no joke: The company's selling a single terry-cloth glove stuffed with leaves for $25. – Charlie White

Product Page [Aroma Hand]

Prototype Bluetooth Glove Brings New Possibilities to Gaming

Jason Chen — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:00:56 EST

Not only can this prototype Bluetooth glove act as a theoretical Wii controller, it can pretty much talk to any Bluetooth device out there. The glove is made out of standard acrylic, but has fingertip sensors that induces a current when touched together. By making different combinations between your fingers and thumbs, you could send one of a few signals to be picked up by other Bluetooth devices.

Some possible uses once this thing gets to market could be Nintendo Wii air-guitar, a Minority Report interface, or virtual nipple tweaking over the internet. There's not a day that goes by that we don't get an email asking us when internet nipple tweaking is coming. – Jason Chen

Fingertip control [Engineer Online via Talk2MyShirt via Uber Gizmo]

CPR Glove Save Lives, Gives Robot-Look

Travis Hudson — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 12:40:58 EST

Not only is this CPR glove badass because it could potentially save lives, it is even more amazing because it looks somewhat like a Nintendo Power Glove and can give that bionic/robot look you have always dreamed of. The CPR glove was the brainwork of students at the McMaster (not to be confused with McDonalds, their rival) University. The glove has sensors and microchips that can measure frequency and depth of the compressions along with detecting a pulse no matter the strength and informing of its speed. It uses audio tones to help the user maintain an optimal level and speed of compressions. Check out the video here. –Travis Hudson

Engineering Students develop life-saving CPR Glove [Via uber-review]

Photographer's Gloves Keeps Your Fingers Toasty

Jason Chen — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 16:00:51 EST

Essentially the same as hobo gloves, these photographers gloves keep your hands toasty as you snap off pics of Brangelina's new baby in whatever third world country they happen to be in this week. The only difference between these and standard fingerless gloves is that your pinkie and ring finger are protected, which makes sense if you were a photographer or a sniper, but makes less sense if you were Dr. Evil.

Of course, you could save the 4,830 Yen ($42) and just cut off three fingers from standard gloves, but the fingers on these are re-attachable when you're done shooting. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Axesquin via Impress via Mobile Mag]

Silky Glove Spa: Gimmee Gimmee Shock Treatment

Brian Lam — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 13:25:14 EDT

For those losing the battle with cellulite we present the Silky Glove Spa. Slip on a pair of these electrode-enamored gloves for 12,800 yen ($110) to get your untoned hips and sagging upper arms stimulated. Electrical current is sent to the nerves in your muscles to cause rapid expansion and contraction. The ad copy boasts that these miracle mittens are perfect for "busy people," though it would seem the adult AV industry would love a few for their handlers.&nash;Brett Bull

Silky Glove Spa