Microsoft Working on Squishy Interface
Microsoft is working on a computer interface you can pinch, push, and poke.
Squishy may not be the correct word, however Microsoft Research is working on a new computer interface that doesn't require clicks or taps. In fact, it's a new tactile interface concept that allows users to squeeze, massage, poke, prod, squash, rub, and many other hand movements. Users can even sculpt 3D virtual objects by manipulating a ferrous fluid-filled bladder.
According to Stuart Taylor of Microsoft Research Cambridge, the surface can be easily configured for many different forms of input. The device consists of a "sensor tile" that produces magnetic multiple fields above its surface. The device tracks movements by detecting disturbances to these fields. Technology Review provides a few examples, including running a ball bearing across the surface to move the on-screen cursor.
The 100-square-centimeter tile itself contains arrays of 64 magnetic coils. Each coil is wrapped in a coiled wire, modeled loosely on an electric guitar configuration. "If you disrupt the field, this causes a current to be induced in the coil," Taylor said.
He also added that the interface could provide force-feedback by applying currents to the coils. This would induce physical effects on objects placed upon the tile. But that would be challenging to create: a device that would switch from input to output on the fly. He admitted that moving ball bearings would be easy, but getting the ferrous fluid bladders to move across the tile would be a bit more challenging.
Get more tech and gaming news by hitting me up on Twitter here.
- EA Shuts Down Pandemic Studios
- Google Phone Possible for 2010
- AT&T and Verizon Verdict Expected Later Today
- T-Mobile Starts Selling Discounted Sidekicks
- Konami Slashes Prices of App Store Games
- Nintendo: Next Console More than Wii HD
- Modern Warfare 2 Censored in Russia
- T-Mobile: Employee Really Did Sell Personal Info
- Startup Company Can "Print" Animated Graphics
- McAfee: Cold War-Style Computer Attack Likely
- Mass: We Pray Game Uses Cross-Shaped Remote
- Judge Rules in Favor of Verizon's 3G Commercials
- Perform Background Check with iPhone App
- Firefox May Be Heading to PlayStation 3
- Sony: PS3 Getting 3D in Fiscal 2010
- Boy Dials 911 After Parents Take Away Xbox
- Electronic Pen Gets Its Own App Store
- Google Phone Could be Data Only, VoIP Calling
- Father Speaks Only Klingon Until Son Turns Three
so u can get ur dogto sit on it and something will happen lol
This is pretty neat. But to say what we are all thinking "wow a whole new world of porn"
:::Insert overplayed Crysis joke here:::
I'm honestly more curious of what the initial inspiration behind this was. It doesn't sound very practical for anything I could think of off the top of my head, but assuming this were to go mainstream, I'm sure developers would create software around it.
Youtube search ferromagnetic fluids, you will be amazed.
This is pretty neat. But to say what we are all thinking "wow a whole new world of porn"
That is exactly what I was thinking, my head has been messed up by the interwebz!
I wonder how strong the magnets are? Hopefully not strong enough to cause a problem if it was right next to a computer.
So.. um... what?
Not sure how that would be used.
But can you use it to play crysis?
I don't like where this is going...
*poke, poke, poke, poke*
oh wow , forget teh crazy 100 dolar controller some oen made for 3ds max , a few years ago ... this thing would be UBER awsome in 3ds max i bet. woudl defintely brign max much closer to art with less head ache .. when can i get mine ?
But can you use it to play crysis?
i actyally dotn se any use for this past teh media arts so no i dont think it woudl be ideal to paly crysis on and no crysis jokesa re not teh best ,theya re stupid old stale , and lame since many video cards have come adn gone taht can run crysis at max settign (althoguh not always at max res for a 30 inch monitor)
I'm honestly more curious of what the initial inspiration behind this was. It doesn't sound very practical for anything I could think of off the top of my head, but assuming this were to go mainstream, I'm sure developers would create software
around it.
Dude as a game art design student i can think foa million peices of software that could use this , like 3ds max , maya , milk shape , blender , or any 3d modleing ap , not to forget game toolset like unreal; editor , or nwn 2 editor , or the ES editor , any game toolset that used height mapping for terrain could make real fun use out of this.
I wonder how strong the magnets are? Hopefully not strong enough to cause a problem if it was right next to a computer.
Just as long as the magnet isn't powerful enough to alter currents in running circuits (really freaking power) your PC will be fine. Magnets and computers were enemy's back in the day because floppy disks are very sensitive. I'd wager most people havn't used a floppy in close to 10 years and those who have needed to update some bios or install Raid divers on a fresh XP install.
I like where this technology is headed...
mmmmm... squishy pussy XD
Hmmmnn.... The ONLY thing I can see this used for is virtual flesh. =/ Or making a holodeck more reliable on where your position is virtualy. (if I live long enough for the holodeck)
Dude as a game art design student i can think foa million peices of software that could use this , like 3ds max , maya , milk shape , blender , or any 3d modleing ap , not to forget game toolset like unreal; editor , or nwn 2 editor , or the ES editor , any game toolset that used height mapping for terrain could make real fun use out of this.
It still wouldn't be very practical. Yes, you could trace out a shape with your finger, but when you draw the same shape on the screen, the edges will be jaggy and not very clean looking. You'd end up having to go back and edit it manually - and all the imperfections would take just as long, if not longer, to smooth out.
i actyally dotn se any use for this past teh media arts so no i dont think it woudl be ideal to paly crysis on and no crysis jokesa re not teh best ,theya re stupid old stale , and lame since many video cards have come adn gone taht can run crysis at max settign (althoguh not always at max res for a 30 inch monitor)
Dude as a game art design student i can think foa million peices of software that could use this , like 3ds max , maya , milk shape , blender , or any 3d modleing ap , not to forget game toolset like unreal; editor , or nwn 2 editor , or the ES editor , any game toolset that used height mapping for terrain could make real fun use out of this.
ENGLISH MOTHERF*#$@&R!! DO YOU SPEAK IT??
Honestly, this thing seems designed for porn... And yet, at the same time, I'm not sure how you could use it for porn... Unless those coils can tighten up in which case...
reminds me of ancient tech in Stargate, most notably the drone defense chair controls.
This technology is based on magnetorheological fluid (MR fluid). Search the internet, there's lots of literature and many applications. Think a variation of the nano-wall in the movie DOOM. You could for security purposes design devices that will lock down and not allow you to move or flexible rubber like bars that would suddenly become rigid, there are many applications.
Finally, I can do some real-life teabagging!
This makes a lot of sense for the medical community.
Yeah, like my workspace area has an empty sandbox-sized area to place this new contraption. Also, I'm not sure how used it will get, what with world+dog depositing their microbes all over it.
Talk about a crusty UI!
How do you clean it? um after... you know... ehm...
ENGLISH MOTHERF*#$@&R!! DO YOU SPEAK IT??Honestly, this thing seems designed for porn... And yet, at the same time, I'm not sure how you could use it for porn... Unless those coils can tighten up in which case...
apparently, periods are only used for the end of a stream of thought, not for the ends of sentences, this is kind of fun, takes all the work out of forming real sentences, i can switch topics instantly without paragraphs, how about that AT&T case, cool stuff, not really, COD rulez, yeah.
As I worked through my Masters in CompSci, I had a few classes which explored VR and HCI, and this is something that would be useful, for those whom have visual impairments. Tangible devices enable these people to participate in these environments. If we never explore these areas, evolution will be linear and we may never truely "evolve" in HCI.
I dont want to sound high-and-mighty, but Tom's readers need to be much more open minded. Just because something doesnt fit into todays mainstream or apply directly to you, doesnt mean its plain and simply a bad idea (or is obviously for porn).
This has potential. Cudos to ms! I'm sure Apple is allready preparing a lawsuit.
Re possible inspiration MSR saw a demo as here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_26hBXbNsGY of an array of magetic control knobs on an lcd and told me they liked it.