Since the Covid 19 pandemic in early 2020 many events and exhibitions where shut down or canceled to avoid the spread of the virus. Until now many companies started to research and develop new ways of bringing this events back in a virtual way with VR or web based solutions. At the same time Interactive Asia Co. Ltd. with base in Chiang Mai, Thailand has also recognized that their software OptiTUIO is a perfect solution to create safe and touch less but at the same time fully interactive applications.
There are many ways how humans can control and communicate with machines. Speech, physical input devices like mouse and keyboard and joysticks, direct touch or touch less touch devices.
OptiTUIO is using this touch less interaction since many years. OptiTUIO is a combination of a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor and a calibration software called OptiTUIO. The LiDAR sensor has a invisible infrared laser light which sends out light pulses. Once the laser hits an object the the sensor gets the exact distance from the laser to the object. Each LiDAR sensor has it’s specific features like range of the laser beam, rotation speed and angular resolution.
With this features the sensor creates an invisible area which then can be calibrated with the OptiTUIO software. With some supported sensors it is possible to create areas of up to 50 meters.
OptiTUIO installations
Over the last 6 years we used OptiTUIO in a way to realize very huge touch screens. Our aim was to bring the sensors invisible area as close to the screen as possible. With the touch less interactive solution we are now going to place the sensor some distance away from the screen to avoid the users have to physically touch it. This allows us also to control a screen with very little arm movement to realize very huge movements on the screen.
The setup is very simple and can be realized in many variations. The most easy way is to place the sensor on the floor some distance away where the user will stand to control. Another option is to place it in the ceiiling, this will make sure no user can damage or fall over the sensor.
Another option is to place the sensor close to the screen bottom or top and then rotate the sensor some degrees over the x axis until the invisible infrared light area is in a place where the user easy can interact.
Setups in the past vs touch less interaction
gestures
simplicity
many applications
huge screens and small interactive areas
control with fingers or arms
Multi user
placement of the sensor – up ward, diagonal, down wards
clicks and other movements
difference of control between mouse and laser – no physical button
safety applications, distance control, person counter and control apps,
…