Leap Motion is a tiny USB device (for only $US99) that tracks hand and finger gestures (point, wave reach and grab) that allows users to control a computer.
As demonstrated in the image above, a Leap Motion controller uses the air space (8 cubic feet) above the controller to detect movements. It does not replace a keyboard, mouse, stylus, or trackpad, it augments and compliments them.
As demonstrated in the image above, a Leap Motion controller uses the air space (8 cubic feet) above the controller to detect movements. It does not replace a keyboard, mouse, stylus, or trackpad, it augments and compliments them.
A Leap Motion controller can even be used in combination with a virtual reality headset such as the Oculus Rift DK2 (pictured left) to bring realistic hand gesture interactions.
Watch the video to see Leap Motion in action:
Watch the video to see Leap Motion in action:
Specialised Apps
Leap Motion is supported by a series of specially-designed downloadable apps (free and paid), including tools and games. The following are ideal for use in educational settings:
Computer Controls
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Shortcuts For Windows & Mac: Use hand-gestures to activate pre-defined shortcuts for a variety of applications (Free).
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Touchless For Windows: Control a Windows PC using your fingers (Free).
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Touchless For Mac: Control a Mac using a virtual trackpad (Free).
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Better Touch Tool: Configure gestures to control a Mac (Free).
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Swish: Use gestures to control a Mac ($US0.99)
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Mundra Mouse: Use your hand as a mouse on a Windows or Mac PC ($US4.99).
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AeroTouch: Create customised hand gestures and finger movements (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 fingers, circle, swipe, screen tap, key tap, hold, move and point) to control a Windows PC ($US0.99).
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Flowboard & Plugin (free)
Flowboard is a more powerful presentation creation program when compared Microsoft PowerPoint. Unlike Pages, files are stored online instead of on the Mac, allowing for easy access across different Mac and iPad devices. This free plugin enables presentations to be controlled gestures using the Leap Motion. |
Presentable and Plugin (free)
Presentable is a great program for creating presentations on a Mac. This free plugin enables presentations to be controlled gestures using the Leap Motion. |
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Scratch 2.0 Plug-in for Leap Motion: This program lets you connect a Leap Motion to Scratch 2.0. It sends data for up to two hands and ten fingers (Free).
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Education Apps
Science
Form & Function 3D: Learn about and interact with the anatomy of the hearts of various animals (shark, salamander and cat) - Free for Win & Mac.
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Powers of Minus Ten: Interact with the human body to discover some of the basic concepts in biology and learn about the structures of a few of the key cells, proteins, and molecules necessary for our daily survival ($US0.99 - Win & Mac).
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Cyber Science - Motion: Zoology: Explore, dissect and assemble six models: tarantula, rhinoceros beetle, caterpillar, butterfly, earthworm & starfish (Free trial | $US4.99 - Win & Mac).
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Molecules: View and manipulate 3D molecules. Molecules can be imported in the PDB, SDF, and XYZ file formats from various sources, including the RCSB Protein Data Bank and NCBI's PubChem (Free - Mac).
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Solar Walk - 3D Solar System model: navigate through the solar system, observing planets close up and learning about their inner structure and history ($US4.99 - Mac).
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Math
Caterpillar Count: Show that you can count to piece together a a very long caterpillar! (Free - Win & Mac)
Fragmental 3D: Use flip, slide and turn skills to solve a 3D tetris puzzle (iOS version shown - Free).
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3D Geometry: Observe and manipulate prisms, pyramids, truncated pyramids, and platonics, learn about vertices, lines and faces, calculate surface area and volume and for common 3D shapes and switch between 2D and 3D views ($US2.99 - Win & Mac).
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Geography
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Travel Seeker - Explore the world whilst looking up flight prices departing from the US (bookings are not possible). Free - Windows.
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Art
TomBraining: The Gallery - Explore a 3D virtual art gallery containing over 250 pieces of classic art and musical pieces. A game mode can also be used to test learned knowledge (Free trial | $US4.99 - Win & Mac).
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English
Skywriting Alphabets: Learn how to write the letters of the alphabet by tracing their formation in the sky (Free trial | $US1.99 - Win & Mac)
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Allthecooks Recipes: Browse through over 150,00 recipes to follow the steps to learn how to create fabulous meals (Win & Mac - Free).
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