Authors:
Malte WeissRWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Florian SchwarzRWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Simon JakubowskiRWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Jan BorchersRWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
Proceeding
UIST '10 Proceedings of the 23nd annual ACM symposium on User interface software and technology
Summary
Madgets are interactive physical objects what can be manipulated by a user or by the interactive tabletop itself. An array of permanent magnets below a multitouch display allows for such interactions.
Hypothesis
Madgets combine the benefits of untethered manipulable objects along with the system's ability to manipulate them as well. Other systems have this ability, such as interactive sound controllers, but do not share the Madgets' degree of physical freedom.
Methods
The system is composed of an array of 228 electromagnets which are all controlled from a PWM signal from an Arduino. On top of the table, the Madgets are held in place from permanent magnets attached to them, and the electromagnets inside the system. Directly above the magnet array is a TFT panel that allows images to be displayed in the interaction area. On top of that is an acrylic sheet which is lit from the edges by infrared LED lights. When a user touches this sheet, infrared light is reflected downwards. Since the magnet array would normally block the transmission of light, several fiber optic cables transmit the light around the magnet array. There, the light is picked up by an infrared camera which can then track any touch in the entire surface. Magnets are actuated by determining which electromagnet to use for attracting or repelling the permanent magnets.
There are 6 sample Magnets displayed
Results
The system itself had very little problems, aside from a small overheating problem. If the electromagnets are held at full power for too long they would get too hot. An algorithm was developed to spread the effort of the array across several magnets if one was estimated to be too hot.
Conflicting goals: Having widgets that are actuated in a human understandable way, there is less confusion as to what they do, but the limitations of these simple actions prevent complex interactions. The researchers admit they need to find a balance between these goals.
Conclusion
I imagine this system uses quite a bit of electricity to operate. Although this concept is interesting, the gains in simplicity on the user side is not close to how easy it is to create a virtual interaction object within a touch environment. Ironically, the fusion of software and physical input can be just as easily prototyped with the Arduino that is used to control the magnet array as the Madgets themselves. Since the real world is always manipulated (especially in industrial environments) by software, there will always be a need for interaction, but I doubt it will be in the form of Madgets.
Madgets are interactive physical objects what can be manipulated by a user or by the interactive tabletop itself. An array of permanent magnets below a multitouch display allows for such interactions.
Hypothesis
Madgets combine the benefits of untethered manipulable objects along with the system's ability to manipulate them as well. Other systems have this ability, such as interactive sound controllers, but do not share the Madgets' degree of physical freedom.
Methods
The system is composed of an array of 228 electromagnets which are all controlled from a PWM signal from an Arduino. On top of the table, the Madgets are held in place from permanent magnets attached to them, and the electromagnets inside the system. Directly above the magnet array is a TFT panel that allows images to be displayed in the interaction area. On top of that is an acrylic sheet which is lit from the edges by infrared LED lights. When a user touches this sheet, infrared light is reflected downwards. Since the magnet array would normally block the transmission of light, several fiber optic cables transmit the light around the magnet array. There, the light is picked up by an infrared camera which can then track any touch in the entire surface. Magnets are actuated by determining which electromagnet to use for attracting or repelling the permanent magnets.
There are 6 sample Magnets displayed
- Buttons: Using the fact that the 3rd dimension can be utilized, buttons can be help upwards using repulsive force. When a user presses the button down, the system sees the difference in infrared light and can perform an action.
- Clutch: Since now both vertical and horizontal actuation is possible, the button Madget is modified to have a slider that can physically disable pressing a button by sliding beneath a button. This can be useful when a button should not be logically pressed.
- Force feedback: Madgets can be manipulated by the system to create force feedback. This can be done in the form of resistance, vibration feedback, or "notches."
- Induction: The magnet array is powerful enough to transfer inductive power to an LED.
- Motor: By actuating a tangential magnetic force, a pair of magnets can be spun around an axis at a constant velocity. This can be used to create much more complex systems.
- Bell: By building on the concept of the button, a magnet can be forcefully launched against a bell to ring it.
Results
The system itself had very little problems, aside from a small overheating problem. If the electromagnets are held at full power for too long they would get too hot. An algorithm was developed to spread the effort of the array across several magnets if one was estimated to be too hot.
Conflicting goals: Having widgets that are actuated in a human understandable way, there is less confusion as to what they do, but the limitations of these simple actions prevent complex interactions. The researchers admit they need to find a balance between these goals.
Conclusion
I imagine this system uses quite a bit of electricity to operate. Although this concept is interesting, the gains in simplicity on the user side is not close to how easy it is to create a virtual interaction object within a touch environment. Ironically, the fusion of software and physical input can be just as easily prototyped with the Arduino that is used to control the magnet array as the Madgets themselves. Since the real world is always manipulated (especially in industrial environments) by software, there will always be a need for interaction, but I doubt it will be in the form of Madgets.
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