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NTU debuts new touch-sensing technology

Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has just unveiled a new touch-sensing technology. Called

STATINA or "speech touch and acoustic tangible interfaces for next-generation application", this technology is

designed to transform large surfaces into low-cost touchscreens. Statina is the brainchild of a team of

researchers lead by NTU assistant professor Andy Khong and has been in development for over four years.

The data gathered by the sensors is processed using proprietary softw are and a computer.

(Credit: Philip Wong/CNET) Asia

Unlike conventional capacitive touchscreens with embedded electrical sensors, STATINA uses low-cost vibration

sensors and Webcams. It pinpoints a position by detecting vibrations, which are created when a user touches

the screen. Meanwhile, the Webcams add multi-touch and continuous tracking support. This unique approach

makes STATINA highly scalable and can be easily adapted for various screen sizes.

by Philip Wong | 10 July 2013 5:38pm SGT

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Here's a prototype w ith tw o overhanging Webcams mounted over a regular HDTV.

(Credit: Philip Wong/CNET) Asia

To date, STATINA has been successfully tested on a variety of surfaces, ranging from wood to metal and glass.

With a high tracking precision in the millimeter range, this technology is said to be just as accurate as most

capacitive touchscreens. More importantly, it costs roughly one tenth of the latter, according to Khong, though he

was quick to add that STATINA is most cost effective for 50-inch and larger screens.

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While most capacitive touchscreens are not compatible w ith gloves, STATINA can even w ork w ith a brush.

(Credit: Philip Wong/CNET) Asia

STATINA is expected to be commercialized in the next 1.5 to 4 years and a retail version will be available for

consumers. Some of its commercial applications include both electronic white boards and interactive digital

signage. In homes, STATINA could be incorporated into furniture and electronic products, such as a TV. There're

non-display usages as well, including the idea of a target board that can detect bullet hits.

Philip Wong is an A/V, PC, photography and gaming enthusiast. Besides spending

countless days and late nights fiddling with his home theater system and

watercooled PC, he also hits the roads frequently on his iron horse to sweat it out.

Now, who says geeks don't work out?

Philip Wong, Associate Editor

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