MIT researchers have developed a hands-free and eyes-free system that allows people to find information about objects without having to actively scan them, use a keypad, or a speech interface.

The ReachMedia system consists of a bracelet that reads RFID tags to detect objects the user is holding, an accelerometer to detect hand gestures and a cell phone that connects to the Internet, plays sounds when objects and gestures are recognized, and provides audio information about the object in hand.

A person could, for example, pick up a book to search for reviews of the book online. She would hear a sound from her phone indicating information was available about the book, and would use gestures — a downward flick and right and left rotation — to select or go to the previous or next menu item of available information.

PDF of the project by Assaf Feldman, Sajid Sadi and Emmanuel Munguia Tapia.

Via TRN.