Pranav Mistry, a 28-year old Indian-born researcher at the Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is the brain behind the "Sixth Sense" device. The "Sixth Sense" device (patented by MIT) contains a pocket projector, mirror and web camera bunched together in a wearable pendant-like mobile. Anything can be turned into a touch screen by the projector. The webcam (and color-coded finger-gloves) can recognize the movements of user's hands, thus enabling gesture-commands.

 

The device also has the facility to recognize a book the user selects from a bookstore. It could be either ways, by image recognition or radio frequency identification tags and project information, like an Amazon rating, onto it. The system can also project a keyboard to type on and can also detect items on grocery shelves and compare online prices. The device can search for news and video clips after being prompted by a newspaper. The device's smart phone uses an internet connection to retrieve information.

 

 A "square frame" gesture will prompt the device to click a photo. The user can also stop by any surface or wall and flick through the photos taken. The device also allows a user to draw icons or symbols in the air using the index finger which is being recognized as interaction instructions. For instance, drawing an "@" symbol will let a user check his/her mail. The digital Sixth Sense device is an effort to bridge the gap between intangible and tangible world, allowing us to interact with the information via natural hand gestures.