Objective A common problem with existing input tangible interfaces (keypads, mice and touch screens) is their inflexibility in restricting the mobility of users, constraining them to be in certain locations during interaction with the computer. Lack of robustness is another disadvantage, limiting the areas of application. This project explores how physical objects, augmented surfaces and space can be transformed into tangible-acoustic embodiments of natural seamless unrestricted interfaces. The ultimate goal is to design tangible interfaces that employ physical objects and space as media to bridge the gap between the virtual and physical worlds and to make information accessible through touchable objects as well as ambient media.The method to be developed is based on the principle that interacting with a physical object modifies its acoustic pattern. By visualising and characterising such acoustic patterns, it will be possible to transform almost any object into an interactive interface, opening up new modes of computer-user interaction for responsive environments. Because of their numerous advantages over other methods, including the spatial freedom they provide to the user, the robustness with which they can be constructed and the ease of accommodating multiple users simultaneously, acoustic-based interfaces will become a major sensing paradigm in the future, implying enormous potential for the whole computer and information industry. New applications will include wall-size touch panels, three-dimensional interfaces, immersive VR sensors, and robust interactive screens for harsh industrial environments.The Tai-Chi project will target the following specific technology areas: research into acoustic transmission behaviours in various media, development of novel acoustic sensors for various application scenarios, development of acoustic signal processing algorithms and establishment of intelligent tangible interfaces. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsignal processingnatural sciencesphysical sciencesacousticsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors Programme(s) FP6-IST - Information Society Technologies: thematic priority under the specific programme "Integrating and strengthening the European research area" (2002-2006). Topic(s) IST-2002-2.3.1.6 - Multimodal interfaces Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme STREP - Specific Targeted Research Project Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF WALES, CARDIFF Address Newport road CF24 0YF Cardiff United Kingdom See on map EU contribution € 0,00 Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all AIT ASSOCIATION VAUDOISE POUR LA PROMOTION DES INNOVATIONS ET DES TECHNOLOGIES Switzerland EU contribution € 0,00 Address Rue de galilee 15 CH-1400 Yverdon See on map INSTITUT POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT DE LA SCIENCE, L'EDUCATION ET LA TECHNOLOGIE France EU contribution € 0,00 Address See on map POLITECNICO DI MILANO Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address See on map TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET CLAUSTHAL Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address Robert-koch-str. 32 D-38678 See on map THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM United Kingdom EU contribution € 0,00 Address See on map UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Viale causa 13 16145 Genova See on map
