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Acoustic Sensors Make Any Surface a Touch Pad

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the now-isn't-that-keen dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Using cheap acoustic sensors the surface of any 3D object can be instantly made into a touch-sensitive interface capable of tracking two objects at once. Its creators are planning to make hospitals more hygienic — keyboards and mice will be replaced by desks wired to perform as keyboards and touchpads. A video shows it in action [.wmv]."

2 of 142 comments (clear)

  1. New PDA Feature? by blaster151 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Hospitals? Not the first application that would have come to mind, but a little extra hygiene never hurt anyone. (Cue jokes about Slashdotters) I'm more interested in the portable computing applications. Does this mean that we could sit down at Starbucks, whip out a PDA equipped with this device, and have the table surface become a full-sized keyboard/mouse arrangement? That would be sweet!

  2. Idea by pubjames · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Couldn't you combine this with a projector to make a wall you can "paint"? Could be great fun.

    Great for kids too - finger painting on the wall without making a mess.