New technologies and gadgets being released everyday, our editors have compiled a list of the strangest (or coolest) for your enjoyment. Which ones are your favorites? Lots of videos after the jump.
10. Multi-Input Touch Screen
New multi-input sensing technology allows users to interact with a system using more than one finger simultaneously. A 36″x27″ rear-projected screen with sensing resolution greater than 0.1″ at 50Hz is shown in the video clip above.
“Our technique is force-sensitive, and provides unprecedented resolution and scalability, allowing us to create sophisticated multi-point widgets for applications large enough to accomodate both hands and multiple users.”
9. Pack-Man
Finally, simultaneous multiplayer Pacman action, but it’s not what you think. Pack-Man requires five different players to control a single Pacman – each using a separate joystick – which leads to mass confusion. This setup consists of five beanbags, five custom built joysticks w/MIDI cables for communicating with the microcontroller, a projector, and speakers. Watch the animated demo.
“If one person moves left and one person moves right, PacMan will do neither. The software remains essentially unchanged, although it runs much slower (to account for the speed of group decision-making) and graphics have been added across the bottom of the screen to communicate what each of the joysticks is doing at any given time”
KOMMERZ has developed an MRI (Mixed Reality Interface) system that can be used in a variety of applications – including presentations, games, architecture and landscape planning . This interface allows you to control virtual 3D models using real objects (such as toys, blocks, special characters, etc.). [Source]