Oliver Irschitz has created the iTube. In the iTube, participants use natural interfaces to explore the virtual 3D spaces projected onto its large screen with a small set of pointing and command gestures. A robust computer-vision-based, full-body immersive interface empowers surfing inside the cityscape. A separate computer-vision-based hand-tracking and gesture-recognition system drives navigation inside the BrainSpace. These interfaces work in real time and require only standard computers and small cameras. They do not require special calibration procedures, do not limit body movements with cables or tethers, nor do they require wearing special suits with markers for tracking.
Joa Ebert and Thibault Imbert have created the framework to control flash animations using the Wiimote. You can download this software from their website. It is becoming possible to control flash movies through gesture.
QSI Corporation has revealed a new technology that lets any semi-rigid material sense touch. Any combination of materials such as glass, plastic, metal, stone or wood can become the touch input surface.
Designed for use in environments where traditional touch panels won’t survive the elements, initial applications will be in places like tollbooths, outdoor kiosks, ATMs, building lobbies and gas stations. The technology also provides designers and architects with tremendous creative freedom, such as in the photo above, which shows a touch panel made from slate, with water running across the surface.
Researchers at Prime Sense have created the ability to navigate using hand gestures in midair. Prime Sense’s concept is a device, which allows a computer to perceive the world in 3D and derive an understanding of the world based on sight, just the way humans do.
The device includes a sensor, which sees a user (including their complete surroundings), and a digital component, or “brain” which learns and understands user movement within those surroundings.
Prime Sense’s interactive device can see, track and react to user movements outside the computer, all without change of environment or wearable equipment for the end user. The closed device is plug and play and platform independent.
Researchers at CMU Robotics Lab have created gravity defying robots called Waalbots. The tiny hairs on a gecko’s feet, called setae, enable it to stick to surfaces. This is due to an intermolecular attraction between the setae and the surface, known as Van der Waals forces. A team at the NanoRobotics Lab, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), has used a dry elastomer adhesive that mimics setae and enables a robot to climb walls and ceilings. However the CMU Waalbot has far greater sticking power because its fibers are twice as adhesive as the setae of geckoes.
Designers at Hofman Dujardin Architects have created the Bloomframe. Bloomframe is a window frame that can be transformed into a balcony. Designed by Amsterdam-based Hofman Dujardin Architects, the Bloomframe balcony offers a flexible living environment by making it possible to extend the domain of one’s facade. In this way, the dynamic balcony enables adding outdoor space to compact apartments in urban high-rise areas.
The Bloomframe balcony can be operated automatically in one movement and with one control. The system includes provisions to guarantee collapse safety during opening and closing, and the drive consists of an rpm-controlled electric motor that operates the balcony at two points via an auto-braking reduction (drop safety). The movement is transferred by tie rods from these linear guides. The fully open position is limited mechanically, which guarantees optimum safety of the converted balcony. The application of a combined powered / mechanical movement makes the system user-friendly and easy to open and close for everyone.
Designers at Ramboll have created the Cheoptics 360 projection system. This system allows video to be projected into the air and can be viewed from 360 degree angle.
Cheoptics360 XL display revolving video images that can be viewed 360° under all ambient light conditions. The unit is made for indoor or outdoor use in sizes from 1,5m – 12m, capable of visualising cars and humans in scale 1:1. The shape and form of Cheoptics360 XL can be customized to integrate with any branding and environment. The unit can be suspended from buildings and structures or used free standing.
Reconfigurable House is built by Usman Haque and Adam Somlai-Fischer and is currently located n Tokyo, Japan until March 2008 as part of NTT ICC 10th anniversary celebrations.
The Reconfigurable House is an environment constructed from thousands of low tech components that can be “rewired” by visitors. The project is a critique of ubiquitous computing “smart homes”, which are based on the idea that technology should be invisible to prevent DIY.
Smart homes actually aren’t very smart simply because they are pre-wired according to algorithms and decisions made by designers of the systems, rather than the people who occupy the houses.
In contrast to such homes, which are not able to adapt structurally over time, the many sensors and actuators of Reconfigurable House can be reconnected endlessly as people change their minds so that the House can take on completely new behaviors.
The SWARM is a fleet of autonomous spherical robots, made from a lattice of plasma-cut stainless steel. An internal motor/counterweight system allows them to roll and steer without wheels. Sophisticated sensor and navigation electronics allows predetermined as well as real-time and evolutionary choreography. They will flock and dance, emit otherworldly sounds, and at night glow in spectral colors.
Tronic Studio has recently completed an ad for General Electric entitles “Building Dreams”. This video uses a motif of building objects and environments out of self similar parts . A viewer moves through an entire landscape that builds itself out of these parts.
Spatial Robots, created by Miles Kemp in 2007, is a website dedicated to cataloging, discussing and promoting interactive spatial systems, user interfaces and emerging technology in architecture.
