BT introduces USB Balance control for PCs

Permalink: BT introduces USB Balance control for PCs

BT, the telecoms group, is developing a USB unit called Balance, which allows users to control a laptop, tablet or ultra-mobile PC by simply by moving it around.

The unit, which plugs into a spare USB port, contains a set of motion sensors similar to the detectors used by Nintendo in its Wii Remote game controller.

Feedback from the sensors is converted by special software into instructions for the host machine’s Windows user interface.

Tilting the screen left or right could cause the cursor to move in the appropriate direction, while shaking it up and down could be programmed to restart the machine.

BT expects the technology to be useful for elderly or disabled computer users who find it difficult to operate a keyboard.

It could also be used by field-engineers who may need to control their computers with one hand.