Launching on Kickstarter tomorrow, the GyroPalm is a wearable that probably should have existed by now. Or, rather, it takes those devices that do exist, like the Apple Watch, and makes them open source, as the GyroPalm is an open source wearable meant to allow the user to control everything in your Internet of Things, including smartphones and robotics, with the flick of a wrist.
Built with an array of electronics, including infrared and inertial measurement sensors, the GyroPalm has a low-latency reach of 3,000 feet using encrypted protocol 2.4GHz. Combined, the device is meant to control a variety of devices so wide that there’s virtually nothing that its creators haven’t envisioned, including remote fire places and quadcopters. Other, more traditional applications include trigger automatic door locks and changing channels on the TV. And, through the use of Internet-connected modules, the GyroPalm can perform some of these functions via the web at long distances.
All of this can be performed, necessarily, with gesture control. The device recognizes 16 simple gestures, but can be expanded to recognize 48 in total, including 3D control. In fact, one use stated by its makers is for gesture-based 3D modeling. Because multiple GyroPalms are able to work together on the same IoT object, this opens up the possibility for group 3D modeling, and more.
Unlike other wearables on the market, the GyroPalm is open source and 3D printed, transforming it from a simple wrist computer to an expandable platform. Its creators have already developed some 3D printed modules that can be used in conjunction with the wrist device, including the aforementioned door lock system, but they also imagine users developing their own modules, as well. These magnetic, snap-on units can be attached to the GyroPalm or other modules to expand the wearable’s use cases even more.
More information will be released tomorrow, as the Kickstarter is launched, but this could be quite a promising device. I’m increasingly hesitant about crowdfunding campaigns, but, hopefully this one delivers where others have not because, if so, we could see a whole new era of open source, 3D printed gesture control devices blow past the so-called smartwatches being pursued by mainstream manufacturers.
