Multi-modal Interactive Maps for People with Visual Impairments: Featuring a Stantum multitouch screen with a tactile layer.

To learn more about this project, take a look at the video and related publications below. This is a great example of a team that is harnessing emerging technologies to improve the lives of people with disabilities.


Video: "Multimodal Maps for Blind People"


Website


Publications
Anke Brock, Philippe Truillet, Bernard Oriola, Christophe Jouffrai (IRIT CNRS and Universite de Toulouse) Usage of Multimodal Maps for Blind People: Why and How
ITS’10, November 7–10, 2010, Saarbrücken, Germany
Paper: http://www.irit.fr/~Philippe.Truillet/projects/doc/MultimodalMapsForTheBlind-ITS10.pdf
Poster: http://www.irit.fr/~Philippe.Truillet/projects/doc/Poster-ITS10.pdf

Stantum (Multi-touch screen used for the application.)
Ivy Middleware (Used in this application.)

Cross-posted on the TechPsych blog.

Buzz about Microsoft's "Light-Induced Shape-Memory Polymer Display Screen" patent application by Erez Kikin-Gil

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I have a passion for interactive displays. Imagine my excitement when I learned about Microsoft's recent patent for a display that has a "topography-changing layer including a light-induced shape memory polymer.." !


For the tech-curious, here is the link to the patent application:
LIGHT-INDUCED SHAPE-MEMORY POLYMER DISPLAY SCREEN

RELATED
Microsoft develops shape-shifting touchscreen
Paul Marks, NewScientist 11/29/10

Microsoft Building Shape-Shifting Touchscreen for True Tactile Touch Tech

Clay Dillow, Popsci, 12/1/10

The name on the patent application is Erez Kikin-Gil.  I did a quick search and found someone by the same name who works as a Senior UX Designer at Microsoft.  

According to information on his blog, Tiltool. Erez Kikin-Gil's graduate thesis focused on the development of the Eco-Pod, a TUI (Tangible User Interface) designed to help children develop cognitive skills to support systems thinking.  He has a range of interests, including information visualization, touch interaction, prototyping, product design, and user experience.