SFVR #12: David Holz demoing Leap Motion's Orion

In this section, the speaker reflects on the initial motivation for starting their company, which stemmed from a childhood frustration with technology. They recount an experience where creating a 3D model on a computer was more difficult than using traditional methods like clay in art class. This led to a realization that the problem was the interface between humans and technology. The speaker touches on how computers, though powerful, often feel limiting due to poor interfaces. They emphasize that this question of 'what is the interface?' has evolved into a fundamental, even existential problem that their company is focused on solving, particularly by enhancing human interaction through tools like the hands.

Here, the speaker explains why their company chose to focus on hands as the primary interface for solving technological problems. They discuss how humans have always used tools—such as hammers, pencils, and computers—through their hands. This insight led to the development of a product that enhances hand-based interaction with technology. They introduce the 'Leap Motion Controller,' a device that tracks hand movements in virtual reality (VR) through infrared cameras, enabling more precise and natural interaction. Although VR initially posed challenges in tracking hands accurately, the company’s new product, Orion, represents a major breakthrough in this area, offering more precision and lower latency.

The speaker transitions to a live demonstration, explaining that they will enter a virtual reality space and interact using their hands. They showcase how the device allows users to perform subtle physical interactions, like manipulating objects in the virtual space with high precision. The speaker marvels at how using the computer no longer feels like interacting with technology, but rather as being present in a space, highlighting the seamless integration of the interface. They give examples of creating blocks and moving them with gestures, emphasizing the natural feel of the interaction.

In this segment, the speaker delves into more complex interactions, demonstrating hierarchical interactions by pulling out a virtual interface from behind their hand. They create shapes like snowmen and show how these objects behave with physical properties, such as rolling on the ground. The speaker then disables gravity in the virtual environment, illustrating how users can manipulate the rules of the space, like creating objects that float. They also reference popular games like Street Fighter to show the range of subtle and intuitive interactions the system can now handle, all made possible by their motion tracking technology.

The speaker reflects on the significance of what has been demonstrated. They emphasize that the technology now feels invisible, seamlessly integrated into human interaction, which they describe as the 'humanization of technology.' They suggest that this might even signify the 'end of technology' as we know it, as it becomes a natural part of human life. The speaker envisions a future where children will interact with galaxies and quantum waves, rather than traditional objects like soccer balls. This shift, they argue, will fundamentally alter human experience, with future generations engaging with the very laws of the universe in ways that are unimaginable today.