Surf the Web With Your Feet

Ars Technica reports that a patent has been filed for a wireless strap-on foot input device.

Unlike existing foot "mice," the wireless device is to be worn on the foot, not operated as an external device by the foot. This would allow a freer range of motion and presumably more natural use. It is intended to be strapped to the foot or shoe of the user and, using an accelerometer and magnetic sensor, a reference unit can calculate relative positioning of the foot to translate it on the user interface. Various foot movements could be programmed to mean specific actions, such as twisting the foot for a left or right click. Although this sounds like a sport only to be practiced while on the comfort of your own couch, the patent claims that the device could also be used while standing.

It sounds like it would be a complex device to master. We would prefer the virtual reality hand surfing technology from Minority Report to be developed.

Posted on October 4, 2006

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Surf the Web With Your Feet