Say goodbye to your mouse and keyboard.
Leap represents an entirely new way to interact with your computers.
It’s more accurate than a mouse, as reliable as a keyboard and more
sensitive than a touchscreen. For the first time, you can control a
computer in three dimensions with your natural hand and finger
movements.
This isn’t a game system that roughly maps your hand movements. The
Leap technology is 200 times more accurate than anything else on the
market — at any price point. Just about the size of a flash drive, the
Leap can distinguish your individual fingers and track your movements
down to a 1/100th of a millimeter.
This is like day one of the mouse. Except, no one needs an instruction manual for their hands.
Get ready, get set, go.
We asked one simple question: ‘What feels natural?’. Using a Leap is
easy. And the next thing you know, a swipe in the air leads to a swipe
of the page. So that nice LED display remains clean and untouched, as
it should be.
Setup is just as intuitive. Plug the LEAP into a USB port. Load the
Leap Motion software. Do a quick wave to calibrate. That’s it.
In minutes, you’ll be able to interact with your desktop using natural hand and finger movements.
It sounds too good to be true, we know. But, that’s what we specialize in around here.
We are changing the world
Two or three hundred thousands lines of code later, we’ve figured out
how to use the Leap to create an interaction space around your
computer, in 3D. Able to distinguish thumbs from fingers, and even
handheld items like pencils. This allows users to interact like never
before, using only natural movements.
And we went a step further. You will be able to create custom
gestures that fit how you want to use your computer. You can even
network more than one Leap device, to create even larger interaction
areas.
We’ve been able to link Leap to dozens of applications and operating systems.
But this is just the beginning. As our development community builds, who knows what the future holds?
FAQs
GENERAL
What exactly is The Leap?
The Leap is a small iPod sized USB peripheral that
creates a 3D interaction space of 8 cubic feet to precisely interact
with and control software on your laptop or desktop computer. It’s like
being able to reach into the computer and pull out information as easily
as reaching into a cookie jar.
The Leap senses your individual hand and finger
movements independently, as well as items like a pen. In fact, it’s 200x
more sensitive than existing touch-free products and technologies. It’s
the difference between sensing an arm swiping through the air and being
able to create a precise digital signature with a fingertip or pen.
What can I do with The Leap?
The possibilities are endless, really. Computer
power has grown exponentially over the years, but the way we interact
with those computers has not. With LEAP, virtually every kind of
application, across every industry, can be re-imagined.
Art. Healthcare. Engineering. Operating Systems.
Gaming. If you can imagine it, we’re pretty confident there’s a
remarkable member of our developer community who is already working to
create it.
What is Leap Motion technology?
Leap Motion technology is a breakthrough in
computer interaction, using a patented mathematical approach to 3D,
touch-free motion sensing and motion control software that’s unlike
anything that currently exists on the market or in academia. Developed
over the past 4 years, Leap Motion moves far beyond the current
technologies designed for distant arm waving.
How much does The Leap cost?
The Leap will retail for $69.99, and a limited number are currently available for
pre-order at LeapMotion.com.
How does The Leap impact computing?
For decades people have been given a dream of what
computers would be – from Star Trek holosuites to Tom Cruise swiping
through Minority Report’s 3D computer interface. But it’s never made it
out of the lab and into real life – until now. The ability to control
any computer with nuanced hand and finger movements will fundamentally
transform the way people interact with computers.
Who is The Leap ideal for?
Everyone! We envision a day in the near future
when our motion control technology will be used in most consumer
products – not just computers, but cars, appliances, medical devices,
light switches and more. There are already many great uses for a variety
of people.
- Artists and creative types can use The Leap to emulate a stylus or easily create 3D images.
- Anyone can use The Leap to interact with Windows 7/8 or Mac OS X by
clicking, grabbing, scrolling and using familiar gestures like pinch to
zoom in 3D space.
- Users pointing a pen at the signature line of a document to sign it in space.
- Engineers can interact more easily with 3D modeling software.
- Gamers can play more easily and many will modify with Leap in mind.
- Surgeons can control 3D medical data with their hands without taking off their gloves.
Who is LEAP? How did you get started?
The original inspiration behind Leap came from our
frustration with 3D modeling— something that took 10 seconds in real
life would take 30 minutes with a computer. Molding virtual clay with a
computer should be as easy as molding clay in the real world. The mouse
and keyboard were simply getting in the way.
Could we figure out a way to control computers in a
better, more natural way—and without settling for the limitations of
available technology? After four years of hard work, we’ve got the
answer. Now it’s time to have fun.
What makes Leap Motion stand out?
Leap Motion is the only technology focused on
bringing motion control to the desktop – rather than trying to take
what’s been built for TV (large gesture sensing) and make it work for
computers. We incorporate natural motions and finger tracking in far
greater detail and sensitivity, than any product on the market. The Leap
is ~100x more accurate than any other motion sensing/natural user
interface on Earth.
How do I pre-order a LEAP?
We have a limited number available for our first shipment this winter. Early birds catch the worm – so
click here to order. We won’t charge you until the product is ready to ship.
How can I get a free developer kit?
We’re distributing thousands of kits to qualified
developers, because, well, we want to see what kinds of incredible
things you can all do with our technology. So wow us. Actually, register
to get the SDK and a free Leap device first, and then wow us.
Do you support windows?
Yes! We also support native touch emulation for Windows 8.
How about Linux?
Linux support is on the agenda.
When do dev-kits ship
Depending on which batch you’re in; anywhere from 1-3 months.
What are the tech specifications for the LEAP?
TBD.
What if I have a question that is not covered here?
Why does Leap Motion matter? What problem do you solve?
Computers have always been remarkable. The ways
we’ve connected to those computers, however, have always struck us as
clunky. Typing? Seriously? That’s fine for writing a novel. But it’s
hardly the most natural, intuitive way to communicate.
It may seem unorthodox, but remember: all the big innovations have been viewed that way, too. Wireless. The horseless carriage.
Who are your partners?
Our partners include many of the world’s largest
companies. In the consumer electronics space for example, we expect to
integrate our technology into tablets, smart phones, laptops and game
systems.
Tell me about the Leap Motion team.
Our initial technology breakthrough came from
co-founder and CTO David Holz. David was working on a PhD in mathematics
from UNC Chapel Hill and left to pursue Leap Motion. Before that, he
was conducting research for NASA on fluid mechanics.
Michael Buckwald is the CEO and co-founder. Prior to founding Leap Motion, Michael was the CEO of Zazuba.com.
Michael and Dave are childhood friends from Florida.