What are Tangible User Interfaces?
Tangible user interfaces are user interfaces that allows a user to interact with digital information using physical objects. They consists of 4 characteristics such as:
1. Physical representations are computionally coupled to underlying digital information
Examples of Tangible User Interfaces
Computer mouse
Although we use a computer mouse everyday, many of us do not realise that this device is actually an example of a tangible user interface. The user drag the mouse on a flat surface to move the pointer on the computer screen. The direct relationship between the movement of the mouse and pointer on the screen has allowed the user to operate the computer easily.
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface is a system that is designed to look like a table and has a multi-touch display which allows many users to use it at the same time. It has the ability to detect objects that are placed on it and provide users with many functions to manipulate these objects such as transferring photos via different devices. The video below shows how Microsoft Surface can be used.
Reactable
Reactable is a musical instrument designed to create and perform music. It is a clear and glowing round table with plucks placing on its surface. The users are able to turn the plucks and connect them to other plucks to create music with different elements such as synthesizers, effects, sample loops and control elements. When the pluck is placed on the surface, the pluck lights up and interact with other plucks. Music becomes tangible with Reactable as the user is able to see these interactions on the surface. The video below shows the usage of Reactable.
Tangible User Interface Alarm Clock (TUI-AC)
TUI-AC is an innovative alarm clock which consists of a ball and a pull-ring. The user set an alarm by pulling the ring out of the ball and throw it like a grenade. The pull-ring contains a sensor which measures the distance between the ball and itself. The alarm is louder when the ball is thrown further away from the pull-ring. When the alarm rings, the user needs to get up from bed to find the ball and insert the ring into the ball in order to switch off the alarm. TUI-AC is very useful for people who have difficulty waking up every morning.
Tangible user interfaces are user interfaces that allows a user to interact with digital information using physical objects. They consists of 4 characteristics such as:
1. Physical representations are computionally coupled to underlying digital information
2. Physical representations embody mechanisms for interactive control
3. Physical representations are perceptually coupled to actively mediated digital representations
4. Physical state of tangibles embodies key aspects of the digital state of a system.
Examples of Tangible User Interfaces
Computer mouse
Although we use a computer mouse everyday, many of us do not realise that this device is actually an example of a tangible user interface. The user drag the mouse on a flat surface to move the pointer on the computer screen. The direct relationship between the movement of the mouse and pointer on the screen has allowed the user to operate the computer easily.
Microsoft Surface
Microsoft Surface is a system that is designed to look like a table and has a multi-touch display which allows many users to use it at the same time. It has the ability to detect objects that are placed on it and provide users with many functions to manipulate these objects such as transferring photos via different devices. The video below shows how Microsoft Surface can be used.
Reactable
Reactable is a musical instrument designed to create and perform music. It is a clear and glowing round table with plucks placing on its surface. The users are able to turn the plucks and connect them to other plucks to create music with different elements such as synthesizers, effects, sample loops and control elements. When the pluck is placed on the surface, the pluck lights up and interact with other plucks. Music becomes tangible with Reactable as the user is able to see these interactions on the surface. The video below shows the usage of Reactable.
Tangible User Interface Alarm Clock (TUI-AC)
TUI-AC is an innovative alarm clock which consists of a ball and a pull-ring. The user set an alarm by pulling the ring out of the ball and throw it like a grenade. The pull-ring contains a sensor which measures the distance between the ball and itself. The alarm is louder when the ball is thrown further away from the pull-ring. When the alarm rings, the user needs to get up from bed to find the ball and insert the ring into the ball in order to switch off the alarm. TUI-AC is very useful for people who have difficulty waking up every morning.
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