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Thread ID: 111521 2010-07-31 04:49:00 The Ultimate Touch The Error Guy (14052) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1123552 2010-07-31 04:49:00 Hi Everyone,

Over the past month or so you may have heard me mention the words "Multi touch" (MT for short). The reason being is that me and a few other mates from school are busy trying to design and build MT tables and interactive displays for use in everyday applications.

We got the idea after simultaneously hating our schools smartboards (yes we are privileged to have them but us students are never happy) and finding the NUI groups website. The smart board is great but it has draw backs. I won't go into detail but they are quite frustrating at times.

We are of course not the first people to design and build MT displays however we wish to develop the technology so it is affordable and useable. however in our limited knowledge we are going to require the guiding hand of many of the wise and wonderful people out there. Basicly there is plenty of support for MT designers in the states and Europe. NZ is left out of this so what we need guidance with is the following

Starting this off is expensive (for us students) so we will eventually need to get some sponsorships/donations and do a bit of fundraising.

hardware help, this project requires a lot of things like Fancy high bright IR LED's and IR lasers and acrylic. we want to hear from people who have experience with this sort of stuff or even better, anyone who has build a MT table

And the software, when it comes to the down and dirty we will be making our own software on both windows and linux platforms (but thats later)

Eventually we want to build the worlds first MT HD 3D touchscreen (and yes you still have to wear the stupid glasses)

So although the idea and process is simple, due to the fact we don't have money to throw around buying stuff that might not work we need to make our decision very carefully around what we are going to build. this had made the design and build process very complex so in order to straighten out we have come to seek help.

Suggestions and recommendations are very much welcome by the team here!

We are based in the wellington/wairarapa region and you can view NUI's forums here nuigroup.com

Thanks for any advice!!
The Error Guy (14052)
1123553 2010-07-31 12:17:00 Microsoft have already done multitouch tables. It's called the Microsoft Surface.

3D would be potentially confusing, and not terribly useful. The depth is something that's hard to grasp so you'd never be sure how far you have to reach out until you touch it. That, and most multi-touch devices are convenient because you can just pick them up and put them down immediately. Putting on glasses is an inconvenience :-/

Other than that, have fun with the project, will be interesting to know how you go.
Chilling_Silence (9)
1123554 2010-07-31 12:46:00 Also, take a look at Johnny Lee (http://johnnylee.net/)

Using just a single Wii remote he made quite an impression on the net. (www.youtube.com)
bob_doe_nz (92)
1123555 2010-07-31 21:39:00 We got the idea after simultaneously hating our schools smartboards

How about a blackboard. Cheap. Easy to make.
Erasable.
pctek (84)
1123556 2010-07-31 22:17:00 Try the Brightsparks forum it's aimed at school kids and don't laugh, my 16 year old step son is one of the mods on there gary67 (56)
1123557 2010-07-31 22:17:00 The MS Surface has a few drawbacks 1: not HD 2: it has the good ole restrictions of a mass produced product 3 it costs $5000 US if we got a nice full HD LCD tv for say $500 + 200 IR LED's for $20 off eBay + A black box to put it in + $100 webcam we can (and people have) make a MT surface for about $1000-1500, Even better, made in NZ from local and imported ingredients.

The most expensive bit us the Acrylic and the LCD (Endlighten acrylic costs $800 and is only sold in full sheets)

Thanks for the support and pctek, we do still have blackboards!! in 4 classrooms (horror!!!)
The Error Guy (14052)
1123558 2010-07-31 22:18:00 ok garry, ill give it a look The Error Guy (14052)
1123559 2010-07-31 22:24:00 He also has an electronics business selling stuff, against the rules to mention names here though so if you want to know pm me gary67 (56)
1123560 2010-07-31 22:25:00 double post gary67 (56)
1123561 2010-08-01 01:15:00 double post

Glad you pointed that out.

I would have missed it!
Cicero (40)
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