Second Life can go hands-free...

Well, one way to bypass the awkward UI is to just go hand-waving instead...

Linden Lab is experimenting with a new way to interact with its Second Life virtual world with nothing more than a Webcam. Codenamed Segalen, the technology makes use of 3D Webcams, such as the ones from 3DVsystems, to track user's body gestures to let them navigate and edit within the environment.

Moving is based on the Segway: you lean to turn! Here's our lovely Mitch introducing the system:

Bit weird and wonderful, this. I wonder how you're supposed to chat or otherwise interact, when standing 5 feet from the keyboard? Voice chat solves the former, but the latter?

It's all still very much in development though, so answers will trickle in. Be interesting to see where this goes.