inFORM Is Interacting With Digital Data Tangibly
Imagine being able to digitally manipulate tangible objects remotely… Who would benefit from such sophisticated technology? A few industries that come to mind are Civil Engineering, Real Estate Development, and Urban Planning.
Robotic Surgical Systems are already in existence at many big-city hospitals where a doctor can remotely operate on a patient who is located at another hospital. Why can’t that be the case with Civil Engineers, Real Estate Developers, and Urban Planners who would have the opportunity to better explain and share their designs? Honestly, though, the applications for this sort of technology can be endless. Just knowing you would be able to manipulate by actuating physical objects already gets the mind going in different directions!
What makes the tech what it is, is its state of the art shape display…
Who remembers the scene in 2013’s The Wolverine starring Hugh Jackman when Hal Yamanouchi (who played Silver Samurai) was on that pin-like bed? Seeing that inFORM is interacting with digital data tangibly is mind-boggling! Just imagine the applications this tech might spawn!
So, let’s talk dirty and chat about the app domains being explored for this tech… There’s Geodata (Geographic Data), which has to do with maps, but requires a GIS (Geographic Information System), which captures and analyzes spatial & (you guessed it!) Geodata… Why? Coordinates (longitude, latitude & elevation), which equals a real physical location!
Another app domain being explored is Volumetric Data or Imaging. Why? Surfaces… Who uses Volume Data? The medical field with MRIs, CT Scans, and Ultrasound, which translates to surgical simulations & image rendering. This exactly what’s needed to manipulate something on a simulator.
All that’s required now to make it all come together are a few techniques for manipulating or grabbing objects remotely. These techniques are Arm Extension, Ray-Casting & Manipulation techniques, which involve mapping functions.
Again, the applications for this type of tech is literally endless!