Over the past few years, we have all become more aware of the common items that we touch every day. Whether it’s the buttons on an elevator, the handle on a public toilet, or even the kiosk at your favorite fast food joint, we touch a lot of things that everyone else and their children have touched. And you absolutely know that those elevator buttons haven’t been cleaned. How can we solve this issue? IMUZAK has got the solution.
What is IMUZAK?
IMUZAK is a technology company based in Japan that has created a fascinating new technology. It’s designed to allow you to interact with technology without having to physically touch screens and buttons. Instead, it uses microlenses to project holograms into the air. While we have seen holographic projectors in the past, IMUZAK separates itself from those products by making them touchable.
The company uses microlens technology to project the images into the air. These lenses are designed to be small, so that they can be placed in tighter areas, such as in cars. It allows for the projection to be placed close to the user without the image being miniaturized because of forced perspective.
How can IMUZAK be used?
Take, for example, our elevator example. Rather than having a panel of physical buttons, the IMUZAK technology would create a panel of virtual buttons. The buttons would float above the physical panel, each presenting with the floor number, emergency call button, etc. Pressing the button in the air will be able to trigger the command attached to the action.
Another usage that is currently in place is controls for the bathroom. You could flush a toilet, turn on a sink, even control the lights, all without touching a single physical button.
Another great usage of this technology has nothing to do with cleanliness. Imagine these virtual buttons around the steering wheel of a car. As it stands now, we have physical buttons on the wheel, each doing a specific thing. Whether or not you’re receiving a phone call, there is always an answer button on the wheel, and it is always on the same part of the wheel, no matter what position it is in. With this holographic technology, an answer call button could appear at the top of the wheel only when you are getting a call. This would eliminate accidental activation while driving, while giving you easy access when you need it.
IMUZAK can also be used for non-touch purposes in the car. A perfect pairing of the holograms and a car would be a heads-up display, helping to display instrument panels and driving instructions. You could see the map from your GPS and even instructions on when and where to turn, all on your windshield.
Summary
IMUZAK is in active development with various usages planned. If you are a hardware developer looking for a unique way to control your devices, head over to the company’s website for more information or to contact them.
Interview by Allante Sparks of PLuGHiTz Live Special Events.
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