Invisible key unlocks a new business

Soon people won’t need to worry about fumbling for their keys in the dark – an invisible key, unveiled in Taiwan, provides access with hand gestures.

The heart of the invisible key is a special chip-and-accerometer combo, which is able to track users’ hand movements in three dimensions, and those gestures can be stored for future use.

Once those unlock gestures have been set, it’s a simple matter of flashing that same move in front of the lock at the end of the day and the door will unlock.

Inventor Tsai Yao-Pin’s idea has caught the attention of a few interested companies and, if all goes to plan, a version will be on sale by mid 2012.

It might seem a little outlandish, but these sorts of ideas tend to hit the ground running once they enter the market. Are there any other everyday items that could be made more efficient?