Google Files a Patent for Gesture Controlled Car

Wow, talk about interesting ideas! Gesture control in cars is nothing new and has been around for several years. The stereo system in the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti featured a Bose radio with proximity sensing that highlighted certain features when a hand approaches, and the Cadillac CUE system uses a similar sleight-of-hand trick to reduce clutter on the in-dash display.

Wired reported last year that Microsoft (which owns MSN) posted a job listing that hinted at future integration of the company’s Xbox Kinect controller into cars, and that Harman has a concept vehicle with a facial-recognition and gesture-control system that uses nods, winks and hand movements to access certain features. It also noted that BMW and Mercedes-Benz are working on gesture systems.

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