Academics from Bristol University have pioneered a system based on tiny vibrations that allows people to manipulate a screen without an physical contact.
The innovative software is called Ultrahaptics and was developed from car parking sensors which use ultrasound to detect obstacles when reversing.
By beaming ultrasound waves from a computer screen to a specific point in the air, scientists created an invisible layer of vibrations which could be felt on human skin.
People could then move their hands over the forcefield in a way that was detected on the screen. They were also able to "feel" the images that were being displayed.
The technology is reminiscent of that used by Tom Cruise in the science fiction film Minority Report, where the policeman he plays is able to move, enlarge and close files on a futuristic screen by hand.
A research paper exploring the possibilities of the software, which is in the early stages of development, will be presented at an academic conference on Friday.
One demonstration showed how by running a hand over the forcefield when the screen was showing a map someone could feel which areas had the highest population.
Tom Carter, a PhD student in Bristol's Department of Computer Science who worked on the project, told The Engineer magazine the invention could allow drivers to consult satellite navigation without looking.
He said that people using a touchscreen have to "fumble around pressing all the buttons", but with the Ultrahaptics system "you can wave your hand vaguely in the air" to interact with the screen.
Source : The Telegraph
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