Quantum Interface Launches Predictive Navigation And Motion Control UI
Research is always being done around trying to find better, more intuitive ways to interact with our devices. Emerging trends such as VR and automobile heads up displays will require new control methods.
Quantum Interface (Qi) thinks it has the answer with its proprietary predictive navigation interface. The company claimed the technology analyzes the speed and direction of input to infer user choice. This interaction can be applied to touch and touchless environments, and it's compatible with any kind of sensor. The company sees many verticals for this technology in the future, but for now it's starting with smartwatches.
The first application to make use of Qi's new technology is QiLaunch Wear, for Android smartwatches. The company said using it simply involves putting a finger on the watch face and moving towards the desired selection. Once movement has ceased, the app in question will launch without the need to tap the screen. Qi believes this will help users navigate through more content more quickly than via traditional point and click or lift and tap UIs.
The predictive UI analyzes motion and reacts to changes of speed and direction. It requires no special gestures, nor any hardware accessory. Qi said controlling the device requires only continuous movement. Stopping the movement advances further, to the next level; for example, it launches the application your finger stopped on. The company claimed this process uses less power than typical input methods.
The Qi predictive motion interface will work with almost any device, and it's even being applied to eye-tracking technology to be used in automotive heads-up displays, and potential exists for use with VR head mounted displays.
QiLaunch Wear is available now, by invite only. Qi is accepting invite requests through a form you can find on its website. Manufacturers wanting to incorporate the technology into their own products will have to wait a little longer, but Qi stated that it will be available soon.
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Kevin Carbotte is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware who primarily covers VR and AR hardware. He has been writing for us for more than four years.