wraggster
October 19th, 2011, 01:34
Microsoft has shown off an impressive tech prototype that turns any surface into a touch screen.
The device, a collaboration between Microsoft Research and Carnegie Mellon University, is called OmniTouch. It's a shoulder-mounted camera that projects interactive content onto any surface it's pointed at - whether that be a wall, a desk surface or the user's hand.
You can then touch, tap, swipe or pinch the projected image, just as you would on a standard touch screen device.
A clip on Microsoft's research site (http://research.microsoft.com/apps/video/default.aspx?id=155040), spotted by Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37947/Microsoft_Researchs_Depth_Camera_Makes_Any_Surface _A_Touch_Screen.php), shows off exactly how it works. Check it out below.
The camera is apparently a modified Kinect-esque lens manufactured by PrimeSense - the Israeli outfit responsible for the Xbox 360 motion-sensing peripheral.
There's no indication offered as to whether Microsoft has long-term plans for the gizmo, or if it's just their boffins showing off. Still, impressive stuff.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-18-microsoft-unveils-experimental-touch-tech
The device, a collaboration between Microsoft Research and Carnegie Mellon University, is called OmniTouch. It's a shoulder-mounted camera that projects interactive content onto any surface it's pointed at - whether that be a wall, a desk surface or the user's hand.
You can then touch, tap, swipe or pinch the projected image, just as you would on a standard touch screen device.
A clip on Microsoft's research site (http://research.microsoft.com/apps/video/default.aspx?id=155040), spotted by Gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/37947/Microsoft_Researchs_Depth_Camera_Makes_Any_Surface _A_Touch_Screen.php), shows off exactly how it works. Check it out below.
The camera is apparently a modified Kinect-esque lens manufactured by PrimeSense - the Israeli outfit responsible for the Xbox 360 motion-sensing peripheral.
There's no indication offered as to whether Microsoft has long-term plans for the gizmo, or if it's just their boffins showing off. Still, impressive stuff.
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-18-microsoft-unveils-experimental-touch-tech