Touché is a funky interface project from Disney Research, turning everything from liquids (!) to door knobs into multitouch surfaces:
According to the project site, the technology “can not only detect a touch event, but simultaneously recognize complex configurations of the human hands and body during touch interaction.”
We added complex touch and gesture sensitivity not only to computing devices and everyday objects, but also to the human body and liquids. Importantly, instrumenting objects and material with touch sensitivity is easy and straightforward: a single wire is sufficient to make objects and environments touch and gesture sensitive.
Interesting, but poor use of the technology. For instance, if Touche can detect hand gestures, then a deaf person could sign and a smart phone could speak the translation for people who don’t understand sign language. I’m sure there’s a hundred other applications to help handicapped people.
Reminds me a little of this old gem http://www.meso.net/expo02
Very interesting. I wonder what would happen if every man made object became touch aware?