MoWBEE
It’s difficult to walk down a busy street in a big city without seeing people staring down at their smartphones. People are using their mobile devices to check social networking applications, send messages, and even video chat with others. Just a few years ago, smartphones were relatively primitive and in their infancy stage. In recent years, technology has evolved at an incredibly rapid pace, yielding devices with incredible capabilities. Advancements in both software and hardware have enabled human beings to accomplish their goals with more ease and in less time than they previously had without the assistance of complex machinery. One of the major tools in ushering an era of productivity is the personal computer. These machines allowed individuals to research information and communicate with others instantaneously. Over time, personal computers have become smaller while also increasing their computational power. Computers have changed drastically over the years, both in terms of appearance and internal components; however, one component has not changed: the main input method. Despite recent ergonomic advancements of modern keyboards and mice, the process of inputting data into a computer has remained the same. The modern era is a time of rapid technological advancement, why not change the way people interact with their personal computers?
MoWBEE, or Mouse-less Web Browsing Entertainment Experience allows users to control their web browsers solely using hand gestures. The hardware required for the system includes the Xbox Kinect, a three-dimensional camera, and a personal computer that is compatible with the sensor and web browser. What makes MoWBEE unique is that it can run on any operating system that supports Java, Mozilla Firefox, and the Xbox Kinect. Having the ability to operate cross-platform gives the system appeal to a wide array of users with different needs and preferences. The software combines libraries that communicate with the Kinect and web browser to produce a web browsing experience without the need for using a mouse.