Shapeshifting Display You Can Literally Reach Through…
By Don Ferguson on Saturday, November 16, 2013
I’m not entirely sure if this counts as a straight up and down ‘PR Example’ – sorry @RichLeighPR – however it does strike me as a rather amazing invention, with seemingly limitless applications, including PR.
Developed by some proper boffins over at MIT in the rootin’ tootin’ US of A, the inFORM is what is known as a ‘scrying pool’ that gives a glimpse into the future of how we interact with computers. Made from ‘hard pixels’ the 3D pool alters shape like a fancy Pinscreen, according to the movements of an operator anywhere in the world.
The inFORM’s pins move to create digitally read, physical shapes and objects using Microsoft Kinect technology. Although only a dev. project at present, future applications include remote bomb disposal, the handling of radioactive materials – and in terms of the far more trivial world of brand activation – it’s conceivable you can quite literally touch a product being advertised to you on screen (or visa-versa).
Two people can Skype and hold hands from many hundreds, or even thousands of miles away; you could play a game of catch across oceans or product test the newest smartphone from the comfort of your own home.
The below video describes it better than I ever could, so have a look – you won’t regret it…