  This paper proposes a novel method for human hands tracking using data from
an event camera. The event camera detects changes in brightness, measuring
motion, with low latency, no motion blur, low power consumption and high
dynamic range. Captured frames are analysed using lightweight algorithms
reporting 3D hand position data. The chosen pick-and-place scenario serves as
an example input for collaborative human-robot interactions and in obstacle
avoidance for human-robot safety applications. Events data are pre-processed
into intensity frames. The regions of interest (ROI) are defined through object
edge event activity, reducing noise. ROI features are extracted for use
in-depth perception. Event-based tracking of human hand demonstrated feasible,
in real time and at a low computational cost. The proposed ROI-finding method
reduces noise from intensity images, achieving up to 89% of data reduction in
relation to the original, while preserving the features. The depth estimation
error in relation to ground truth (measured with wearables), measured using
dynamic time warping and using a single event camera, is from 15 to 30
millimetres, depending on the plane it is measured. Tracking of human hands in
3D space using a single event camera data and lightweight algorithms to define
ROI features (hands tracking in space).
