HP Labs India

GKB (Gesture Keyboard)

The Gesture Keyboard (GKB) is a unique device for entering phonetic scripts. GKB is a pen-based, low-cost device that can be used to input text in these languages. With GKB, an average user can achieve a speed of 10 words per minute with just 2 hours of practice. HP has developed the device for Devanagari and Tamil scripts and the same technology can be extended to any phonetic script. GKB is currently being deployed in various government organizations and information kiosks.

With the help of GKB, people who are not conversant with English language can use the computer for sending emails, web browsing and search, online chatting and handling documentation in their own language. Prior knowledge of English or typing skills is not required to use GKB.

The core research areas related to GKB include:

• handwritten shape and gesture recognition
  
  
• pen-based interfaces for non-Roman scripts
  
  
• supporting tools, datasets and standards for addressing other scripts

HP Labs India was the runner-up in the prestigious Wall Street Journal's 2006 Technology Innovation Award in the Consumer Electronics area for its work on GKB. To quote the judges: "the device had the potential to reach areas of the Indian population neglected by the computer boom".

 

Click here to download flash demo of the concept

 

This page was last updated on November 24, 2009