August 5th, 2009
Five new futuristic interfaces showcased at Siggraph 2009
SIGGRAPH 2009 is currently underway in New Orleans, bringing together some of the world’s best digital artists, developers, and computer researchers together to show off the latest in computer graphics and interfaces.
Yesterday, MIT’s Technology Review posted videos of interesting new interfaces showcased at the annual show.
First is a mind-bending ‘touchable holograph’ display developed at the University of Tokyo. It adds tactile feedback to 3D images hovering in space in front of a concave mirror using an ultrasound device positioned below the LCD and mirror. (Video below).
The other interfaces include; An augmented reality of ordinary toys that let you make virtual modifications, such as outfit a Lego figurine with a bazooka; A hyper-realistic virtual reality that allows a user to push around a virtual representation of himself; 3D teleconferencing that maintains eye contact between a three-dimensional head and several participants on the other end of a connection; And, ’scratchable’ input devices, which essentially allow for any surface to become an instant input device by sensing the unique sound produced when a fingernail is dragged across it.
Several of these demos are part of the emerging technologies exhibition at the event.
If you enjoyed the video, you can check out the other four over at Technology Review.
Christopher Jablonski is a freelance technology writer. Previously, he was the manager of marketing editorial at CBS Interactive, delivering client solutions on BNET, ZDNet, and TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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