Leap Motion

An American company by the name of Leap has unveiled its motion sensing and motion tracking technology that they have been developing for four years. The result in an iPod sized device that latches on to a USB port, and the company claims, it is more than 200 times more accurate than anything else currently on the market.

This device is called Leap Motion, and it can accurately detect motion within eight cubic feet of itself. Leap Motion detects and responds to familiar gestures like swiping and pinching, and it also supports more precise input methods such as a stylus. Leap however, has designed their systems to go beyond the application and be useful in an artist’s studio or during surgery. Using the precise sensors within, Leap Motion can be used to manipulate and even sculpt 3D models as one would in real life with clay.

Leap will start shipping their device this winter, and for now they are free developer kits in hopes of having a substantial library of applications at the time of launch. When the device is released, it will be compatible with Windows 8, and the team is currently working on getting it to work on Linux. Leap Motion is priced at $69.99 for which the pre-order can be placed on the company website. If you are more inclined to develop applications for the device, you can make an SDK request here.