Microsoft is looking into the feasibility of foot controls to give computer users' hands a break from typing and moving the mouse around. The technology might help to reduce repetitive strain injury. 

The company's research arm presented the Step User Interface at its annual TechFest in Redmond, Washington. 

By tapping on six buttons built into a sensor mat on the floor, researchers demonstrated how users could perform repetitive tasks such as scrolling through documents, or opening, closing, deleting, flagging or moving email messages.

In another application the researchers used foot controls to browse and sort a digital photo collection.

"Many information workers spend a majority of their time trapped at their desk dealing with email. We wanted to provide them with an alternative," said Brian Meyers, a member of the Step User Interface Project Group.

"Allowing information workers to stand and continue to read, delete and flag emails, gives them a break from the keyboard and mouse, which reduces the risk of RSI in their hands and wrists and engages more of their muscles."

The Step User Interface is a research project and Microsoft has no immediate plans to turn it into a commercial product, a spokesman told vnunet.com.