Philips Research Technology Backgrounder
Philips’ Tangible Interaction Console
|
||
|
From inactivity to interactivity
These days, it simply isn’t enough to make a new piece of technology: you have to make it accessible. This is especially the case with computer games – which are, after all, supposed to be fun! However, many computer games have user interfaces that are far from human-centered – a fact which often makes them not only physically restrictive, but even unhealthy to operate. So to meet the needs of a whole generation of people who want to play games but don’t want to struggle with an awkward computer interface, Philips has developed the Edutainment Sensor Platform. Using this platform, manufacturers can create cost-effective Tangible Interaction Consoles (TICs) that are both versatile and easy to use. These truly innovative pieces of technology not only bring a new level of interaction to users, but also offer a wide range of other benefits and applications. How it works In essence, a TIC is a programmable tangible user interfacing solution. It can receive a variety of inputs (e.g., motion sensing, hot-spot detection and 2D object localization). On the basis of these inputs, it can then trigger a variety of outputs (including audio, LED arrays and amBX). The exact output that is triggered by the input is specified by users themselves. This is surprisingly simple: all they need to do is create a description of the desired event on a PC using special development tools (based on the ESPranto language). These tools are easy enough for an eight-year-old to operate, but also rich enough to satisfy professional content creators. All description creators – whether professionals or children – use the same core tool, albeit with a graphical user interface tailored to their specific circumstances. Potential uses TICs enable everyone, regardless of IT proficiency, to develop ground-breaking physical computer games easily. The innovative, flexible design of the TIC means that the platform can also be used to create applications for a wide variety of purposes in many different fields. Besides simple gaming, these may include education, therapy support, elderly care and even home and lighting controls. In addition, the flexible design also enables exciting and original toys and games (based on the TIC platform) to be created quickly and effectively – doubtless something that will appeal to toy designers and manufacturers, drawn by the potential of faster market-delivery times and lower development costs. What’s more, the TIC sensing technology can be fully hidden, allowing complete freedom for designers and giving an almost magical interactive quality to the games. TagTiles One example of a TIC application that Philips Research has been exploring is an electronic board game called TagTiles. At its most basic level, TagTiles consists of two interactive 8 x 8 grids (one for each player) and a shared array of LED lights made up of a 10 x 10 screen of colored ‘tiles’. Different patterns of tiles light up on an 8 x 8 grid on this screen, and the players have to match these patterns on their boards by ‘tagging’ the correct tiles. The player who correctly matches the patterns first wins the round. TagTiles, however, is more than just good fun: it also has significant educational applications. For example, it can help to develop a number of important faculties and skills, such as procedural memory, motor skills (e.g., hand-eye coordination) and spatial awareness. And because TagTiles continuously assesses the skills of the player during the game, it can also assist in the early detection of learning difficulties. Indeed, because of its flexible design, TagTiles can be fine-tuned to focus on a variety of skills the user may be deficient in – helping every child reach his or her full potential in a range of learning domains. Games aren’t just for kids! Another potential application of Philips Research’s TIC technology is gaming for adults. Just like TIC gaming applications for children, we expect adult gaming options to not only provide enjoyment, but also to contribute to personal wellbeing. For example, games for adults could include the same skills assessment technology used in games for children. In this way, they could enable the monitoring and early detection of cognitive decline, or provide targeted training to boost cognitive skills. By targeting the decline in cognitive skills, these applications could also allow elderly people to remain independent in their own homes or with their families. TICs can also be connected to the Internet, enabling users to play games with a partner in another location. This makes these devices an excellent weapon to combat social isolation – especially because the tactile quality of TICs makes the whole experience more “real” and natural. |
|
|
