How to convert your kid's toy into a TV remote

How easy would it be if you have the power to control the volume of your music player by just rolling your kid's toy? This is now possible with a new gesture control technology that will revolutionise how we interact with gadgets. Ending the frustrating searches for remotes, this technology can turn everyday objects, including toys, cup of tea and even a spatula into remote controls.

In a paper, to be presented at the UIST2017 conference that will start from October 22 in Quebec City, researchers from Lancaster University wrote about the 'Matchpoint' technology that requires a simple webcam and works by displaying moving targets that orbit a small circular widget in the corner of the screen.

These targets correspond to different functions, such as volume, changing channel or viewing a menu. The user synchronises the direction of movement of the target, with their hand, head or an object which activates the desired function.

"Spontaneous spatial coupling is a new approach to gesture control that works by matching movement instead of asking the computer to recognise a specific object," said Christopher Clarke from Lancaster University.

"Everyday objects in the house can now easily become remote controls so there are no more frantic searches for remote controls when your favourite programme is about to start on another channel, and now everyone in the room has the 'remote'. You could even change the channel with your pet cat," added Clarke who is also the developer of the technology.

'Matchpoint' does not require calibration, or the software to have prior knowledge of objects. Users also do not need to learn specific commands to activate different functions.