The PICAMOTICS technology is a network of modular cells. The larger the space - the more cells may be connected. Each cell makes input and output capabilities available to a speficic area.
The basic “surveillance” of a particular space is done with infrared-enabled high-speed cameras, delivering up to 150 frames per second to be analysed. Additional sensors, e.g. ultra-sonic or capacity sensors can easily be added to ensure an even more accurate locating of moving objects.
High-definition video projectors mounted over head use the floor as the projection canvas. Visitors actually move within the projection and are captured by video at the same time. Input and output areas are not divided into two different devices but combined to one.
In other words, it is like walking across a large touch screen. Well, it’s still different. But it somehow describes the idea of using the ground as trackpad and display at the same time.
Noteworthy: Visual output is not the only media involved. By default the system can provide audio content as well - even to a specific area using special “sound showers”.
The “Hand-shake”, a key differentiator.
The resulting “instant responsive space” allows personalized interaction as well. Besides only gathering positions the PICAMOTICS technology also identifies each user by attaching a unique number and handing this information over to the neighbouring cell while the user moves from cell A into cell B without even noticing it. Sounds like magic ? Yeah. Thanks.
Proof of concept
This video was filmed in June 2005 and demonstrates the ability of PICAMOTICS of handing information about the tracked objects (sheets of paper) over to neighbouring network cells on the fly.
Please note that there are two different cells involved. The left part and the right part of the image are maintained by two different cells, each equipped with a camera and a projector. The cells communicate via ethernet, exchanging processed analysis results: The unique ID and current position of each object within the entire space.