BT builds tilt control into laptops

BT is developing a USB device that can translate movement into actions on the computer screen

BT has unveiled an adapter that enables users to operate a laptop computer by tilting or moving it, similar to the controllers of the Nintendo Wii game console. It may provide an alternative to standard input methods such as a touchpad, the company said.

The device, called BT Balance, plugs into a laptop's USB port and uses software to translate movement into actions on the computer screen, such as scrolling down the page in a document.

However, the device is still currently under development, according to BT. The company is researching the technology as a way to enable the elderly or disabled to use computers more easily, as well as field workers that may be wearing gloves in adverse weather conditions.

“The technology has obvious implications for those who are disabled or elderly and have difficulty using a fiddly laptop keyboard or mouse," said Adam Oliver, BT's head of age and disability research.

"We quickly realised that it could have other commercial applications such as someone needing to use their laptop in conditions where trying to type or manipulate a tiny keyboard is tricky, or where they are unable to use both hands, such as an engineer or technician working in the field needing to navigate quickly round maps or diagrams, or even someone just using their laptop on a crowded train," he added.

Similar technologies have been shown before. Microsoft once demonstrated a Pocket PC handheld adapted so that tilting the device would cause the display to pan or scroll in the direction of tilt.