Salling's interactive window tech is interactive

We've seen all sorts hip-cool interactive window installations, usually comprised of a camera for a modicum of interactivity and a projector or a display for screening the results. The Salling store in Arhus, Denmark is taking things a bit further and making the window itself interactive. There's still a camera to sense motion, but instead of a display there's some fancy window tech that makes sections of the glass transparent or not based on where the person is standing. Sure, the idea of having to walk up to a window and wave your arms around to reveal what's behind it might seem a bit counter-intuitive, but at least it'll give the loiterers something to do. Video is after the break.

[matlm89 @ May 18th 2008 11:30AM]

I live in Århus :DDDD

on topic: It's looks kinda strange actually - not sure it makes me wanna buy more stuff :/

[slurms mcKenzie @ May 18th 2008 11:33AM]

There all pretty much ridiculous except #4 shows some interesting possibilities. The one where they have to keep there hands up in the air is just ridiculous.

Maybe this technology could have other useful applications but certainly not for window front advertising of products, for which the video seems to be focused on.

The worst is the one where the two people have to keep there arms up to see the entire window.

[Jordan @ May 18th 2008 5:05PM]

Yeah, in the advertising department its stupid. Unless you use the interactive windows to spell things out, for example, now open, or 50% off sell. The pong was rather cool on the other hand.

[nanobis @ May 18th 2008 11:33AM]

i guess its just a way of advertising. I'd be intrested in the disply if that sort of stuff happend to me when walking past the window.

[Rafer @ May 18th 2008 11:36AM]

I would totally use the window to pick up some chicks.

[Bad Beaver @ May 18th 2008 12:46PM]

"So how did the two of you meet?"
"Well, we were standing in front of the same window, flapping our arms so we could see the merch."
"uhm... nice?"

It's actually quite a good idea, as it creates an excuse to raise your arms, go pheromones go!

As a shop-window, this is pretty pointless. You have no interest in obstructing the view on your product. Once the novelty wears off, that's exactly what this technology does.

[Wwhat @ May 18th 2008 2:11PM]

Do you mean merc? Short for mercedes, or is merch something I'm not aware of?

note to the hysterical: I'm not being a spelling-nazi, just wondering. :)

[Discofunk @ May 18th 2008 3:55PM]

Believe Merch == Merchandise

[Wwhat @ May 18th 2008 4:48PM]

Ah thanks for that.

[Bad Beaver @ May 19th 2008 5:09AM]

Sorry, I thought that was self-explanatory.

Always remember: keep buying the merch
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2005/01/05/

[Wwhat @ May 19th 2008 7:07PM]

It makes sense only I don't think I ever saw it used before shortened like that in writing, and I'm not a big fan of penny arcarde I fear.

[Anon @ May 18th 2008 11:47AM]

Longcat is long

[well_r @ May 18th 2008 11:54AM]

Im sure theres a good purpose with this kind of tech..
red light district.. make one i Århus.. -> then u have to stand close to the window to see the models.. haha :)

[James @ May 18th 2008 11:57AM]

That's some pretty bad CG.

[Jessie @ May 18th 2008 12:06PM]

Why is this green screen?

[Jordan @ May 18th 2008 5:10PM]

Yeah, did I miss something? Is this just a concept? Are the people too lazy to make it and instead use fugly CG.

[gad get @ May 19th 2008 1:27AM]

Worst blue/green screening I've ever seen!

[matthewlikestoburn @ May 18th 2008 12:10PM]

That pong would stop you from getting bored, i bet loads of stores would get annoyed with loads of playing it.

Go Pong! Yeah!

[brendan @ May 18th 2008 12:12PM]

title reminds meof The Department of Redundancy Department

[Alex @ May 18th 2008 12:12PM]

This is kind of rediculous. It is a neat concept but I don't see people interacting with windows on the street as if they have time and as if they care.

[shanejonas @ May 18th 2008 12:17PM]

I run up to windows and flail my arms regardless, now i will get rewarded.

http://shanejonas.com

[slurms mcKenzie @ May 18th 2008 12:36PM]

LOL doesn't everyone?

[Jordan @ May 18th 2008 5:11PM]

We appreciate you spamming us with links to your website cleverly named after you.

[Reader @ May 18th 2008 10:24PM]

Damn, and I wanted to rank you up too until I got to the bottom of your comment.

[dfivetwo @ May 18th 2008 12:18PM]

This will probably lead to advertising that follows you as you walk by...

[giuliop @ May 18th 2008 12:34PM]

I expect they gave the "best" examples of the use of this thing, and judging from those, it's so useless it's on the verge of being stupid.

[gad get @ May 19th 2008 1:29AM]

On the verge?! It's useless! What's more stupid than that?!

[Plothole @ May 23rd 2008 4:10PM]

Step one in any form of advertising is to attract attention. If it can manage that, it's hardly useless.

[giuliop @ May 23rd 2008 5:47PM]

"If it can manage that, it's hardly useless."

It is, indeed, if the product has no use whatsoever and fails to follow up on the attention it attracted, leading to the absence of a step two.

[didinskee! @ May 18th 2008 12:38PM]

instead of blocking the view and making silly little people, why not make a head's up display abut the merchandise in question: price, size, availability? perhaps something along the lines of those you see in the "Stranger Than Fiction" movie. That'd be so cool.

[didinskee! @ May 18th 2008 12:42PM]

or you could also use two cameras to triangulate the eye then render captions that have arrows pointing to interesting details, all in the viewer's point of view.

enable haptic input and we're in the future, baby!

[Ian @ May 19th 2008 12:46AM]

wow i like the 2 camera idea so when you look at something it gives you more details about it. that would be good

[Saad Rabia @ May 18th 2008 12:39PM]

I thank them for putting an effort, but this whole thing is just ridiculous and lame! It felt like if a high school geek was showing off his/her skills in green screening and after effects! The concept is old, the ideas are not cool nor useful and the video was just a waste of time for any real deal comment. It is too early for these people to show us any video. Back to the drawing board my friends.

Sorry if my opinion is harsh!

[happy_penguin @ May 18th 2008 12:56PM]

Looks like Jobs standing there to the left.

[Saad Rabia @ May 18th 2008 1:00PM]

Hahaha, spot on! Nice catch!

[bootareen @ May 18th 2008 7:56PM]

i was thinking the same thing!

[The Ron @ May 18th 2008 1:05PM]

Awesome, but completely pointless!

[Joe Commisso @ May 18th 2008 1:37PM]

Is it just me or does the guy on the left resemble Steve Jobs just a little bit or what in that picture?

[happy_penguin @ May 18th 2008 2:01PM]

No it's not just you. Look a couple of comments up.

[Joe Commisso @ May 18th 2008 1:37PM]

Is it just me or does the guy on the left resemble Steve Jobs just a little bit or what in that picture?

[gad get @ May 19th 2008 1:31AM]

No it's not just you. Look a couple of comments up.

[Motoken @ May 18th 2008 1:40PM]

now put a really scary man behind the window! this would be great for Halloween!

[Geqxon @ May 18th 2008 2:01PM]

I was hoping interaction 8 would be hardcore girl-on-girl action. One can only wish...

[Reader @ May 18th 2008 10:25PM]

A quick google could get you there, my man.

[BigD145 @ May 18th 2008 2:05PM]

Where's the coin slot to insert my nickel?

[Wwhat @ May 18th 2008 2:14PM]

Meanwhile this whole video is rendered and not a real product, so I wonder: do they actually have this working or is it one of those 'concept' things again?
As for use, might be useful for security sensitive offices/facilities, the person can stand in front of the window and if he walks away it's back to blocked view.

[Morten @ May 18th 2008 2:26PM]

LOL i live in aarhus, i know the store brb gonna check it out :D

[RajKM @ May 18th 2008 2:58PM]

CRAZY
Check out my blog too, i made a new wiimote whiteboard, it would be good to use on this if you plugged in the computer !!!!
http://www.axisos.wordpress.com

[Solidus_XII @ May 18th 2008 3:11PM]

the question is...

...does it play doom ?

[bananaz @ May 18th 2008 4:57PM]

I would like to see monkeys interact with this.