Engineering:Gauntlet (keyboard)
| Developer | Jiake Liu |
|---|---|
| Type | Computer keyboard |
| Release date | 2012 |
| Controller input | Wireless glove |
Gauntlet is a wireless glove that can be used as a computer keyboard input device. The glove was invented under a project called G.A.U.N.T.L.E.T. (Generally Accessible Universal Nomadic Tactile Low-power Electronic Typist), and it is still in the beta phase. In addition to being a computer input device, Gauntlet can also be used as an input device for smartphones and other portable devices.[1]
Early Development
The Gauntlet was originally developed by a team of researchers at the University of Alabama led by Jiake Liu.[2] The glove functions by having the user "type" while a conductive thread transmits signals to a printed circuit board. From there the signal is transmitted to the device the user wants by Bluetooth. [2] The user types by touching their thumb to different areas of each finger, with each area being labeled as a different letter or symbol. Actions such as space, backspace, enter, and function are located on the fingernails. Function can be mapped to allow the user to swap keyboards from letters to numbers or other symbols like emojis.[3] There are very few pictures of the Gauntlet and the original website for the Gauntlet has been taken down, but there is still a short video of a tech demo of the Gauntlet functioning on Vimeo.
Potential Use
Liu designed the glove with a broad array of potential customers in mind. It has potential to help disabled persons and stroke victims since you only need one hand to operate it. Liu and his team also believe that it could be useful in other industries such as gaming, music, and even military.[2]
Potential Release
It is a possibility that the Gauntlet will never be produced as there have been no updates on its launch since 2012 and Liu is now a co-owner and founder of the furniture company Outer. Liu has become a successful entrepreneur according to his LinkedIn page, currently being an Angel Investor in 10 startups not including his own business. With none of these businesses being technology oriented there is little chance that Liu is still focused on the Gauntlet becoming the next household piece of technology.
References
- ↑ Biggs, John (2012-07-17). "DIY Wireless Typing Glove Is The Future Of Michael Jackson Impersonation/Data Entry". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2012/07/14/diy-wireless-typing-glove-is-the-future-of-michael-jackson-impersonationdata-entry/. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Gauntlet Keyboard glove puts a keyboard on your hand" (in en-US). 2012-10-25. https://newatlas.com/gauntlet-hand-keyboard/24693/.
- ↑ "G.A.U.N.T.L.E.T. trades in keyboard and touchscreen typing for sweaty hands (video)" (in en-US). https://www.engadget.com/2012-07-16-g-a-u-n-t-l-e-t-trades-in-keyboard-and-touchscreen-typing-for-s.html.
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