It is human nature (and the nature of every engineer) to want to compare things to one another. We compare restaurants. We compare the latest models of cars. And we should be able to compare motion tools.

The question MAR would like to raise is which metrics are the key ones for motion-enabled tools? And, is there a way to give an overall rating to any particular device that enables an objective comparison between it and other devices in the field?

With cars, it is relatively easy: define a class of vehicle and look at objective standards that apply to all cars: horsepower, curb weight, fuel efficiency, turning radius, cost. Restaurants are a bit tougher. Most diners would agree on objective measures like portion size and prices, and perhaps on ambiance and décor (but not necessarily on the importance of each). However, flavor of food is a different animal. What is the way to measure taste?

That’s about where the motion world is. However, in the motion world, there are several other degrees of difficulty.

“There is an incredible list of variables to consider,” says Parag Sheth vice president of corporate marketing at Hillcrest Labs. They have identified five key standards, but they seem to vary for each kind of tool and in each environment.

“In the free-space world, those standards only apply to one form factor,” he says.

An engineer can look at sensors for motion, angular movement and range. But none of that tells a purchaser how good or effective the overall product is.

“In the physical world, that kind of thing works,” Sheth says. “In the motion control world, it falls apart. This is a non-trivial problem.”

Add the question of software, and you have just loaded another level of difficulty onto the problem.

Some commonplace factors – like the screen where a particular point is drawn – must be considered. There will be a different metric if the point is viewed on a 42-inch television screen or on an 18-inch computer monitor.

Shoot your ideas to MAR. Check back for others’ comments.

Perhaps some engineers at a lab have wrestled with this challenge and are developing standards. Maybe some gamers have an informal evaluation system that they use with their friends – a grid that would provide the basis for a more-complex, technical evaluation system.

Cable operators still are trying to work out ways to bring interactive and motion-enabled content to their customers.

We might just reach some agreement yet. Let the blogging begin!