Two patents from Microsoft have been made, meaning that we could be soon controlling games based purely on our muscle movements rather than with the use of any controller or sensor. The first for a "general patent on recognising gestures" was made back in 2008 and the more recent one made in March 2009 was for a "patent on wearable EMG based controllers". Both patents were officially granted on December 31st, 2009, which makes way for the technology that uses electomyographs to register muscle movements regardless of the users position in relation to the console.

Microsoft have posted a demonstration video of the prototype in action on their website and in it we can see the user playing Guitar Hero without the use of a guitar but rather by the gesturing of an air instrument. We also see the generation of a portable music system by running and contracting different muscles.

While the current prototype doesn't look particularly appealing (it looks as though your in the firing line of a Jeremy Kyle lie detector test!), Microsoft has made assurances that the pads used will be disguised within a more fashionable armband. No news on who, what, when, why or how from the creators at this point but we will bring it to you as soon as we get it. Meanwhile, here is a link to the video demonstrating the technology.