Ether Inductor, Ars Electronica 2011

"Origin -- How It All Begins", Ars Electronica 2011
http://www.aec.at/origin/en/2011/06/27/ether-inductor/

"Ether Inductor"
The Ether Inductor is a platform for a new style of communication
using the spatial distance between two people, so players can interact
with the system without the need to touch controllers. This device
sheds light on unnoticed, but rich tactile experiences.


Summary:
Humans are very sensitive to be touched and to touch others. There are
many rituals linked to the physical contact, such as handshaking,
hugging, and giving high-fives. We feel tingling sensation even if we
are only in close proximity to others.

In this exhibition, two players on a stage will stand face-to-face on
either side of a small horizontal monitor. The task for the players is
to steer a flock of tiny creatures in the monitor under instruction of
particular type of haptic interaction. Never fear, all you need to do
is keep a slight distance between yourselves or carefully give a very
gentle touch. The motion, color and shape of the creatures will change
corresponding to the collaboration history of touches and movements.
In other words, players can create their own tactile experience
through the assistance of the electronic device.

The aim of the installation is to provide awareness of unexploited
feeling -- untouched touch. Moreover, we expect that we will become
self-aware about subtle changes to our boundary.

We have developed an innovative easy-to-use sensing technology for the
project. The spatial relationships of users are processed by measuring
the electric field around human body. The sensor system also can be
applied in marketing research and interactive products as well as game
systems.

Related works:
- "Haptic Nature", Electrofringe 2010 | http://www.electrofringe.net/2010/
- "Ether Synthesizer", Laval Virtual 2011 | http://www.laval-virtual.org/

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Ars Electronica
• u19
• create your world
• Linz
• tactile
• touch
• haptics
• game
• sensor
• 2011
• the next idea
• lowerdeck
• Ars Electronica Center
• Ether Inductor
• communication
• HMI
• CHI