Reference Information:
Title: Multitoe: High-Precision Interaction with Back-Projected Floors Based on High-Resolution Multi-Touch Input
Authors: Thomas Augsten, Konstantin Kaefer, René Meusel, Caroline Fetzer, Dorian Kanitz, Thomas Stoff, Torsten Becker, Christian Holz, and Patrick Baudisch.
Venue: UIST’10, October 3–6, 2010, New York, New York, USA.
Summary: The authors of Multitoe are unsatisfied with the current state of multitouch tables, finding that they're limited by the reach of the user, and the number of people that can physically fit around the table. By using a Multitouch floor, the designers feel that more people could interact with a multitouch system, and that more unique interactions could take place on a backprojected floor.
Throughout their paper, they discuss the trial and error efforts they made for figuring out how to interact with a projected item on the floor, such as a button. Certain gestures, such as jumping, were easy to detect, but could also be tiring. They also examined virtual keyboards, determining which size gave the optimal user experience.
The final portion of the paper examined identifying users on a multitouch floor. Using the camera system and software they had created, individual sole, pressure, and posture information could be used to uniquely "fingerprint" a user, automatically logging them into the floor when they stepped onto it. Shoes that could not be paired with a known user would be given a new ID, and allowed to create a new a user or become paired with an existing user.
Discussion: This article was very technical, but fairly interesting. The researchers had all their bases covered, covering all of the key points of making a multitouch floor practical. They presented their case clearly, and successfully argued why their implementation was the most logical approach.
The one point I felt was a bit odd was how they never actually discussed what type of software one could uniquely run on a multitouch floor. It seems like they kept avoiding the issue of why these floors are so amazing. It would have been nice if they could point out an instance where a multitouch floor would be better than a keyboard and mouse, or a touchscreen table.
I agree with you in that it would have been nice to see some good uses of the floor, but you have to admit that just developing the system in and of itself is pretty impressive. I think this could be used more for entertainment, than actual computing.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with the above commenter in saying that just in terms of an accomplishment, this is impressive. The system looks like it's quite detailed and works well, although I'm curious how expensive setting up a room for this would be.
ReplyDeleteAs far as applications, I can already think of a few: You could project dance steps onto the floor and do a sort of ballroom dancing DDR game, or you probably could use the identification feature for security purposes. Either way, pretty cool stuff.
I wouldn't mind having one of these in my house. I like the idea and is impressive to see that they could develop this idea but I agree with the 2 commentators above in that it may serve entertainment purposes than actual serious computing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting article; the constraints of the multitouch table seemed strange though. How many people are needing to interact with the system they are proposing?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think the biggest constraint of multitouch tables is $$$. Microsoft Surface is super expensive; how expensive will a floor of multitouch sensors and lights be?