Technology Information

Osmosis: Multi-touch systems for... everywhere!

Osmosis: Multi-touch systems for... everywhere!

Osmosis: Multi-touch systems for... everywhere!

Posted: 31 Aug 2010 03:54 PM PDT

Not long ago I had the opportunity to chat with Stuart McLean, the founder of Osmosis, a company that delivers customized multi-touch systems of hardware and software that support human-centered natural user interaction.   Stuart has many years of experience working in more traditional IT/business roles, and knows from this experience that there is  better way to support  human computer interaction, including interaction between people.

Like many of us in the "NUI" community, Stuart was impressed by the video of Jeff Han's 2006 TED Talk, which demonstrated a variety of awesome multi-touch, multi-user applications on a high-resolution drafting table.  Stuart saw the importance of natural user interfaces and interaction and became involved with the NUI Group, a "global research community focused on the open discovery of natural user interfaces". 

Unlike traditional tech companies, Osmosis is a collaboration between a global network of engineers, designers, and developers who share the "NUI" vision. This collaboration enables the company to provide solutions for clients across a range of countries, cultures, and domains.


Below is a photo-gallery of some of the applications and systems developed by Osmosis:


Multi-touch by Osmosis
GALLERY
As you can see from the gallery photos, Osmosis provides a range of possibilities for their clients and potential clients.  All of the displays are high-definition.  Some are projection-systems, and others are displays with multi-touch sensing technology.  Since the construction is modular, a variety of form factors are available.  High-quality surround and domed sound systems are available.  Applications include information kiosks, point of sale/digital signage, hospitality, presentation and training, education, and audio-visual performance and production.  Osmosis also provides applications that support interaction with tangible objects.

Below are two videos that give a taste of what Osmosis is all about:

OSMOSIS DEMO REEL

Demo Reel from Osmosis on Vimeo.

MULTI-TOUCH EVERYWHERE

MT Everywhere from Osmosis on Vimeo.

I can see where some of these applications would be great in K-12 educational settings.  Just look at the joy on the faces of the kids in the Multi-Touch Everywhere video!

(Short video clips of the Osmosis applications in action can be found in the showcase page of the company's website.)
http://interactivemultimediatechnology.blogspot.com

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Propellerheads' Gigantic Outdoor Drum Machine: Another "Playful Interface" and Media Facade - using Phidgets!

Propellerheads' Gigantic Outdoor Drum Machine: Another "Playful Interface" and Media Facade - using Phidgets!

Propellerheads' Gigantic Outdoor Drum Machine: Another "Playful Interface" and Media Facade - using Phidgets!

Posted: 29 Aug 2010 09:14 AM PDT

I admit I have a passion for interactive media facades and playful outdoor interfaces. I'm geeky like that. Imagine my excitement when I saw the link to Propellerhead's outdoor drum machine that was taken out "in the wild" at night in Stockholm, Sweden, for people to play with!   Thanks, Ben Ullman, for the link!

"No Swede would every think of doing something like this without a permit."



I especially like that the team used Phidgets to create this drum machine.  Phidgets enable you to hook up a mix of digital or analog sensors to a USB interface.  According to a post on Create Digital Music, the interface below was supported by a Phidget 8/8/8 interface hooked to a computer, and a force sensor under the pad. The team used a Phidget Voltage divider to make the scaling and calibration magic happen.   (I had a chance to get my hands on some Phidgets, briefly, when I took Heather Richter Lipford's Ubicomp class at UNC-C a few years ago.  I would love to play with them in-depth in the future.)

RELATED
Behind the Scenes of Propellerheads' Oversized Drum Machine
Peter Kirn , Create Digital Music, 8/26/10
Propellerhead Reason (Virtual studio rack)


What are Phidgets? Here is the info from the Phidgets website:


"Phidgets are a set of "plug and play" building blocks for low cost USB sensing and control from your PC. All the USB complexity is taken care of by our robust API. Applications can be developed quickly by programmers using their favorite language: C/C++, C#, Cocoa, Delphi, Flash AS3, Flex AS3, Java, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Max/MSP, MRS, Python, REALBasic, Visual Basic.NET, Visual Basic 6.0, Visual Basic for Applications, Visual Basic Script, and Visual C/C++/Borland.NET. Click on Programming if you want to look at Getting Started Guides or Code Samples."


Here is a version of a similar giant sampler in action at a Family Force 5 performance:
http://interactivemultimediatechnology.blogspot.com

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Update & Links about the Interface Culture Exhibition at the 2010 Ars Electronica Festival, via Martin Kaltenbrunner

Update & Links about the Interface Culture Exhibition at the 2010 Ars Electronica Festival, via Martin Kaltenbrunner

Update & Links about the Interface Culture Exhibition at the 2010 Ars Electronica Festival, via Martin Kaltenbrunner

Posted: 28 Aug 2010 05:41 AM PDT

Here is an update about the the work of students in the Interface Cultures program, which will be presented at the Playful Interface Cultures at the Ars Electronica Festival in Linz, Austria:

"This year's presentation by students in the Interface Cultures program showcases newly emerging artistic skill profiles at the nexus of interactive media technology and interface technology. These artists adroitly combine complex disciplines such as communications technology, biosciences, physical computing, interaction design, fashionable technology and information visualization in their test environments and experimental concepts."

via Martin Kaltenbrunner (Interface Culture at the University of art and Industrial Design):
statement: http://www.interface.ufg.ac.at/arsPDF
poster: http://www.interface.ufg.ac.at/files/playful_interface_cultures.pdf
festival page: http://new.aec.at/repair/en/2010/08/16/playful-interface-cultures/
vimeo channel: http://vimeo.com/channels/interfaceculture


SOMEWHAT RELATED
Interface Culture Lab Blog
Did you know that you can get a Masters degree in Ludic Interfaces?
Ars Electronica 2010 Flickr Site
WIRED: Here comes Ars Electronica 2010 (Bruce Sterling)
Ars Electronica/Futurelab

http://interactivemultimediatechnology.blogspot.com

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Raymond.CC Blog - Reset BIOS Password from Windows with CMOS De-Animator

Raymond.CC Blog - Reset BIOS Password from Windows with CMOS De-Animator

Reset BIOS Password from Windows with CMOS De-Animator

Posted: 29 Aug 2010 12:00 AM PDT


Any amateur computer technician should know how to reset BIOS password because there are times when they need to access the BIOS and change some configuration such as boot order. The old school way of resetting BIOS password is by taking out the battery from the motherboard and let it sit for 5 minutes, then [...]

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iRiS Interaction at the Playful Interface Cultures Exhibition & Ars Electronica Festival (video, short post, and links))

iRiS Interaction at the Playful Interface Cultures Exhibition & Ars Electronica Festival (video, short post, and links))

iRiS Interaction at the Playful Interface Cultures Exhibition & Ars Electronica Festival (video, short post, and links))

Posted: 27 Aug 2010 03:53 PM PDT

Earlier this week, I shared my wish to attend the Playful Interface Cultures exhibition at the Ars Electronica Festival.   Since I can't get to Linz, Austria to see the festival first hand, I'll share a video of the iRiS project that is part of the exhibition and festival - the link to the video was sent to me by Johannes Schoening, one of the iRiS project team members.  iRiS stands for Immediate Remote Interaction System, and is the outcome of a joint research project of the University of Saarbrucken and the University of Munich, in Germany.

If you happen to be at the festival, you can see the project in action between 10 and 11 P.M on September 5th and September 6th.


iRiS - Immediate Remote Interaction System from awiethoff on Vimeo.


RELATED
Post: Updated iRiS:  iPhone Remote Interaction System: Paint a Media Facade on your Favorite Building
More Urban Screens and 3D Media Facades
Ars Electronica is located in Linz, Austria.
iRiS Project Website
http://interactivemultimediatechnology.blogspot.com

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