Abstract
Joysticks are well-known input devices to control multi-link manipulators. In order to make a dexterous control of manipulators, operational skills should be obtained through training. This paper presents a new gesture interface for controlling manipulators. The features of the proposed method are contactless and instinctive. No equipment is required to wear since the entire system is composed of two infrared cameras and a control unit. The cameras capture three dimension movements of operator's hands. Operators can indicate position or direction of the end effector of a manipulator with the movement of their hands. Some experiments were conducted to show the usefulness of the interface. The results showed that the manipulator was smoothly controlled.
