Multi-touch from any plane

Darren Lim, a 19-year-old Singaporean, along with her school friend Lai Xue, founded a technology startup company called Ractiv, and their first achievement was Haptix, a device that could convert ordinary surfaces into a multi-touch interface.

During her time in Chengdu, China, Darren and Xue used to participate in many of Intel's science fairs, which perfected his ideas. And when they became more interested in production More equipment than using them, Darren plans to set up a startup company.

After two years of military service, Darren discussed his idea with Xue, a technology fan who became an Intel engineer at the age of 18. Darren felt that it was time to step out of his "safety zone".

Darren's five-person team is working on a hot field of technology, which is 3D motion control. Their company is called Ractiv , and its first product is Haptix , a device that converts ordinary surfaces into a multi-touch interface. Ractiv believes that 3D motion control is one of the key elements to open a new era, with computers everywhere.

"Motion and voice control can be a way to reduce distraction when using the phone while driving" - Darrent said - " These technologies will not completely replace keyboards and mice, but they will become much more common. "

Honestly, Haptix is ​​like many previous projects. At MIT each of the famous Sixth Sense prototypes resonated at the TED conference (conference on Technology - Entertainment - Design). Researchers at Purdue University are also using Kinect to turn surfaces into touch screens. A company called Ubi Interactive is also trying to commercialize this idea. But this is still not the general trend.

Back to Haptix. Darren's company has come up with a new approach in this regard, and they have just launched a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter to publicize their intentions.

Here is a brief way - albeit somewhat vague - to describe Haptix: it is a new version of the controller of Leap Motion but there is no problem with "gorilla arm" (still have to use the arm to control control the computer), or at least that is the orientation of Ractiv.

Basically, both devices have quite a few similarities when they first look. They all allow us to use multi-touch gestures in three-dimensional space, which cost less than $ 80, use visual feedback instead of tactile feedback, and even look alike: Crust Silver metal with a black "window" for the sensor.

In fact, the excitement inspired by a rather sophisticated promotional video is the driving force for people to buy Leap Motion at first. But they were completely disappointed. Basically, Leap Motion works, but it still requires you to wave in the air, instead of what the company advertised. Those are exercises that users don't need. And if finger movement while loosening the arm in theory is possible, no one has ever thought of a way to do that with his Leap Motion controller. Its operability is also dependent on light conditions: the darker the better.

But looking through some design details, Haptix has the potential to become what Leap Motion can't: a real alternative to using a mouse. In the introduction clip, Haptix can be placed at the top of the laptop screen, meaning its sensor is pointing down instead of up. The device is also specially designed to simulate how to use a laptop: two hands to relax on the table, fingers to tap on the keyboard. This means that Haptix can work while you are bending down, making it ideal for artists and engineers when they want to grab a pen or brush.

But does light affect Haptix? Darrent said no. This device works based on a new algorithm, making it possible to operate in any lighting conditions.

Can run with Windows or Ubuntu operating system in the first version, Haptix has a specific revenue target: $ 100,000. At its affordable price ($ 59), the product seems to have had a good start. However, meeting the needs of users, they need to complete Haptix even more.