Japanese electronics maker NEC has unveiled a unique input mechanism that allows you to type on your arm using augmented reality.

The system is called the ARmKeypad and it combines a set of glasses to visualize the virtual keyboard and a smartwatch to detect how fast you type.

See also: Magic Leap delivers another peek at its augmented reality system

Designed as a means to give workers a "hands-free" way of working while maintaining the ability to input text into a database, the company describes the ArmKeypad as better than other next-gen input methods such as voice interfaces, which are difficult to operate in noisy environments.

In the video of the system at work (above), obtained by the Wall Street Journal, the smartwatch device is also shown displaying an augmented reality component, hovering above its real-world screen, working in tandem with the keyboard.

NEC thinks the innovation could be used in a wide range of working environments including healthcare, manufacturing, document management and even security.

The system was shown off in the run-up to the company's C&C User Forum and iExpo 2015 being held in Tokyo next week.

No details regarding the software or hardware aspects of how the system works have been revealed. However, NEC claims that it will release a commercial version (price to be determined) of the system sometime in 2016.