Microsoft SideSight project promises to take multi-touch beyond the screen

Microsoft is certainly no stranger to multi-touch interfaces, but it looks to really be pushing things with its new so-called SideSight research project, which promises to do away with that pesky need to actually touch the screen. To do that, Microsoft proposes to employ a whole range of proximity sensors around a device, which would be able to detect gestures up to ten centimeters away, with a quick motion towards the device representing a click, for instance, or a twisting motion letting you rotate an image. While Microsoft has actually built a prototype of sorts using an HTC Touch (seen above), it still has quite a ways to go, as the sensors on the prototype actually just connected to a PC via USB and then relayed back to the phone using Bluetooth. Eventually, however, Microsoft says that the system could allow for multi-touch to be used on very small devices, which could possibly even use printed sensors that would cover the entire casing.

[Image courtesy CNET News, thanks Peter]

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 22nd 2008 8:12AM]

Hm... sounds cool and imo better than a touch screen (as you're not covering up what you're working with).

let's see this come out and fight against the iTouch etc.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 31st 2008 4:04AM]

I remember contributing this project when I work at Microsoft Research, an interesting gadget.
Two things put me off at the time, rubbing your fingers all over a public surface, e.g. a table in a bar, I would never do it as would not prefer to pick up bacteria from all and sundry. At least on my iPhone I am only one that uses it.
There was also prior art from a company called I-Tech who does the Virtual Laser Keyboard which does a similar job. Laser is used to project keyboard image and infra red to detect fingers. I guess it was patented.
I wish MSR good luck with their endeavors.
Lyndsay Williams www.girtonlabs.com