OmniTouch Brings Physical Interactivity to Everyday Environments

The OmniTouch – a clever system developed by Carnegie Mellon University in collaboration with Microsoft Research – a device which aims to provide touch screen interfaces to any surface. Utilising a small pico projector and a kinect-style depth sensor, the current prototype version of this device is worn on the user’s shoulder, projected into their field of view. This device aims to challenge all sorts of things – how we interact with our mobile devices, our PCs, and how we use our 3D space in general. Video and more after the break…

The system is clever – it can adapt to any surface without the need for re-calibration, and it can be seen showcasing some of its demo applications. Furthermore, the User Interfaces are transferrable across surfaces – i.e. one minute your emails are on your hand, and the next they are viewed larger on a nearby wall. Also in the works – privacy measures which attempt to draw the line between what can and can’t be seen to the average passer by.

The possibilities with these kinds of devices are endless. What can you think up? Leave a comment in the comments section below!

Source: Gizmodo