Mike Elgan’s article The Mouse is Dead certainly struck a chord regarding the ubiquitous mouse we all love. Yes, this fine and beautifully simple creature has stood the test of time because it has consistently adapted from its humble beginnings in 1963 to become the undisputed and unchallenged king of user interfaces. Over time it has lost its tail (become wireless), dropped the funky rubber ball we all enjoyed cleaning from dust and crumbs, and morphed into a sleek ergonomic wonder with a chrome finish and flashing lights.

However, father time is beginning to take its toll on our dear friend. Is only one XY coordinate sufficient in a new age of computing with complex software applications running on hyper speed processors, or is this new age of computing demanding multiple and simultaneous XY coordinates? I would guess the latter, with reservations.

Our treasured mouse is a tool that very accurately navigates (locates XY), activates (right click), and/or commands (left click). The multi-touch technologies that may unseat our cherished mouse must accomplish these tasks at least as well, and that’s the rub. Commands are tasks well suited for gestures, but navigation and activation is a challenge. Low resolution capacitive multi-touch track pads do not measure up and this results in less than acceptable user satisfaction. Pushing your cursor around your screen with a track pad is bad enough, but when finally locating your target XY the lifting and re-touching to activate can and will shift the XY, increasing user frustration. Unless you can provide the accuracy (resolution) to navigate precisely with your track pad, and activate without lifting and retouching, you have not achieved what his majesty, the mouse, does effortlessly. Any heir to the throne must share common traits: simplicity (idiot proof), cost (cheap), reliability (forever faithful), and most importantly, accuracy (always on point).

Ironically, it is the same folks who popularized our beloved mouse, Apple Computer, now most prominently are leading the charge for its demise with multi-touch track pads and gesture recognition patent filings. No question Apple has the resource and expertise to bring a usurper to market, but can they deliver the most critical element; accuracy. This accuracy is a function of resolution, and I have yet to see any touch sensor offering from Apple or any other, except SiMa, with the ability to match the ‘always on point’ feature our esteemed monarch delivers…”THE KING IS DEAD. LONG LIVE THE KING!”

- Phil

Taking multi-touch and gesture recognition (MT/GR) into the auto may have some very cool user and manufacturer benefits. This article posted by Marie Freebody at Optics.Org gives some very good insight on this topic in her discussion of Osram Opto Semi’s auto solution.

Taking advantage of MT/GR use in the automotive environment can increase safety, enhance the pleasure of motoring and provide significant opportunities to auto manufacturers for part and weight reduction.

Any technology that reduces driver distraction can and will save lives and prevent injuries. By providing MT/GR technology to the standard GPS display available in most cars virtually all control functions of the auto’s subsystems (i.e. audio, climate control, seat adjustment, windows, etc.) are managed by gestures on the display without the need to look at the display. This eliminates the need to visually locate a given control knob or toggle switch located in various areas of the dashboard.

The driver experience is enhanced by the elimination of analog knobs and switch controls. By providing audio feedback to gesture input on the display the driver and auto can intuitively communicate precise control settings.

By eliminating the need for the analog controls and their associated wiring assemblies the auto manufacturing is dramatically simplified with fewer parts and increased reliability.

-Phil