I have seen the future, and it’s the Minority Report styled interactive displays. We have already come across an array of jaw-dropping demos on the interactive displays. Here, I have compiled a list of top 15 interactive displays that give us a glimpse at what is yet to come.
For the serious gamers, the ‘Entertaible’ is not a new word. Well for those who are still unaware of the whooping technology, Entertaible is an electronic tabletop device that lets you enjoy the touch-screen horizontal gaming. The Philips Entertaible is equipped with internet-enabled multiplayer gaming, sophisticated touch screen-based multi-object position detection, 32-inch horizontal LCD, embedded sound and touch sensitivity. Well, Entertaible is indeed a perfect way to have a feel of the board gaming while still taking pleasure in the electronic gaming.
Anyone who has got about $20,000 in his/her account can project floating holograms. Well, IO2 Technology’s third-generation ‘mid-air display‘ boasts superior brightness and resolution, along with the enhancements in image precision and permanence. The device creates an awe-inspiring 3D display that seems to be hovering in the air with an impressive 1024×768 resolution. The upgradations brought in the new M3 model are anticipated to make the projector more saleable and fit for purposes like teleconferencing and high-end displays.
Designed by researchers at the University of Design in Schwabisch Gmund, Germany, this Tangible Table based interface makes use of a series of pucks to take care of all of the controls. A camera mounted underneath the table tracks the motion of the pucks and displays the image on the table surface using combination mirrors, infrared lights, and a projector. Though the motive of the make was not so futuristic, I think the device could be used effectively for some cool applications.
Though it looks like more of a computer interface rather than an instrument, the Reactable that has been developed in Spain is a multi-user electro-acoustic music instrument that comprises a tabletop tangible user interface. Many users can concurrently have total control over the instrument by stirring physical artifacts on the table surface and making dissimilar audio topologies in a kind of tangible modular synthesizer.
Touchlight is a technology that Eon Reality licensed from Microsoft that permits gesture based control of EON’s 3D visualizations. If I say you to move and manipulate 3-D images with your hands, what would be your reaction, I know. But, EON TouchLight has made it possible by introducing this innovative programmer. This display system offers you cutting-edge properties to physically interact with 3-D images. The innovation I think would largely help to endorse any product with great aptness with the help of three video cameras indented in it.
The IBM’s Everywhere Displays project is targeted at developing systems that can turn any surface into a projected touchscreen. The prototype merges together a LCD projector, a pan/tilt mirror, and a camera. Unlike customary enlarged reality applications, users do not need to put on graphics goggles or special input devices. The whole thing happens just by projection and vision processing. Everywhere can project onto walls, shelves, floors or any other surface to show advertisements or other product info where the customers can simply touch the projected surface to gather information as if they are interacting with a touchscreen computer.
Until now, three prototypes have been developed. The first one are the Steerable projected interactive displays that are used for retail environment including interactive bins for women’s photos, projected product directories, and an augmented table of Halloween products.
The second prototype is sensor-loaded future office environment dubbed BlueSpace in which the ED-projector is used to project collaborative displays on tables and walls.
And, the last one is an augmented reality (AR) demonstration that lets the users visualize any info without any contact with input devices, thanks to the ED-projectors.
Hats off to Japanese for creating the awe-inspiring ‘Panasonic’s Interactive Table‘ from which you can surf the web, play your favorite game or go through the stock updates in an avant-garde style. You just need to tap the touch-sensitive screen of your table to commune with the agent and its different functions. This ‘Interactive Table’ features a touchscreen LCD fixed on an ordinary steel table.
iBar has been designed specially for the interactive design of any bar-counter. The content is projected on the bar-surface with the help of the integrated video projector and there is no need for any additional installations on ceilings. Whenever, any object touches the bar surface, the intellectual tracking system of iBar detects the movement. The virual objects can be touched with your fingers. Check out the neat video of iBar in action.
You might be in a rut as what to do with a pair of 110-inch HD displays you have lying around the house, but Panasonic has plenty ideas for how to put theirs to good use. They paired a couple of 110-inch screens to create one of the largest interactive displays we’ve ever seen. Their tech isn’t as crazy interactive as NYU’s Multi-Touch stuff, but Panasonic surely has hit the right chord in case of size.
Interestingly, users can make off with their hand from a distance of up to 15cm away and the built-in sensors translate that movement into a command. The touchscreen monitor is based on technology from TouchKo. It can be used effectively for medical applications.
Developed as a part of Edward Tse’s PhD research termed ‘Multimodal Co-located Interaction,’ the Google Earth tabletop digital surface aims to allow people to do natural interactions while surfing through 3D images on the table or walls, play games and perform many other resourceful things. The inimitable display allows for rich satellite imagery paired with gesture input and multi-user interaction. The technology can prove highly beneficial to defense services, hospital emergency services and gaming industry.
Toshiba exhibited their Interactive 3D Display at SEATAC 2006. This device uses an integral imaging device that reproduces light beams as those produced by a real object. The difference between the user’s eye to the centre of the screen, and the difference between the eye to the display’s edges and corners makes the user get a 3D effect of the things being displayed on the screen.
Designed by Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) in Massachusetts, the DiamondTouch (DT) system makes use of electrical signals to track multiple users working on the touch-sensitive screen. The new system could also be integrated within vehicular navigation systems allowing passengers to access it without any distraction. The interface could also lead to create smart video games. The displays are available in 32-inch and 42-inch sizes.
Emotiv, claimed to be the first brain computer interface technology that can detect both conscious and non-conscious emotions of a human, is a series of applications each of which performs a different task. The main applications are 3D characters that reflect the player’s expressions and the manipulation of virtual objects using the player’s thoughts to do so. The EDK or Emotiv Development Kit comprises a prototype headset with multiple sensors for monitoring the brain activity. It also has a series of applications that include that help create 3D characters that respond to the expressions of the player such as smiles and winks, measure the player’s state of mind, and allows the players to manipulate objects in the virtual environment. The technology is likely to find many application areas which include interactive television, medicine and security.
You surely have been living in caves if you read a lot about interactive displays and haven’t have heard of Jeff Han. Multi-touch technology is getting wider attention lately as we have now the powerful computers with us that can use them to the fullest. Don’t forget to check out these captivating videos. He has no doubt made the ‘Minority Report’ styled interfaces a reality.
Thanks: YouTube
