Ever feel like you're not making good enough use of your feet when you're catching up on your e-mail or sorting through all those digital pictures you took on that last vacation?
Computer scientists in Microsoft Corp.'s research division have developed a color-coded "dance pad" with buttons you can tap with your feet -- or jump on -- to scroll through electronic files.
"StepMail" may never make it to store shelves, but that's no concern to Microsoft, which spends billions of dollars a year researching far-out technologies without worrying about whether the gizmos will ever make it to store shelves
Microsoft Dance Pad is the New Mouse
Microsoft Dance Pad Is The New Mouse
Trend Themes
1. Foot-based Computing - Developing new user interfaces that utilize the feet for input offers opportunities for disruptive innovation in computing.
2. Alternative Input Devices - Exploring new ways to interact with computers beyond the traditional input devices allows for disruptive innovation in user experience.
3. Gesture-based Computing - Incorporating physical gestures into computing interfaces offers opportunities for disruptive innovation in human-computer interaction.
Industry Implications
1. Computer Hardware Manufacturing - Manufacturers have the opportunity to develop new hardware that supports foot-based computing as an alternative input device.
2. Gaming Technology - Gaming companies can explore new ways to incorporate foot-based input in game design.
3. Healthcare Technology - Using foot-based input in digital healthcare technologies can improve accessibility and ease of use for patients with limited mobility.