PROJECT DETAILS:

• Clients: IT dept. Politecnico di Milano
• Project: Interfaces research project
• Location: Helsinki, Finland.
• Awards: Grand prize winner of the IST 2006 Exhibition Award. Prize given by Nokia.

Imagine a technology that is able to convert virtually any physical object, flat or curved, such as tables, walls, and windows, into giant two or three dimensional touch pads. This dream can now be made a reality through the use of Tangible Acoustic Interfaces.

The interfaces use acoustic-sensing technologies to detect the position of contact made between a human and a solid surface. With their ability to transform physical objects into interactive interfaces, acoustic-sensing technologies offer a promising way to bring the sense of touch into the realm of human-computer interaction. The development of such sensors is being pursued by the Tai-Chi project. On display are examples of this technology.

Tai-Chi: Grand prize winner of the IST 2006 Exhibition Award

IST 2006 – HELSINKI

With almost 160 stands arranged in eleven different zones, the 9000 square metre exhibition presents the concrete results of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) research from across Europe. Reflecting the conference theme – creating a virtuous cycle between research, innovation and socio-economic benefits – the exhibits demonstrate the benefits of advanced ICTs to Europe’s economy and society, and offer an insight into the dynamic and creative world of Europe’s ICT research community.