MIT collaborative tool combines augmented reality, gesture and iPads

MIT collaborative tool combines augmented reality, gesture and iPads
T(ether), an experimental collaborative App from the MIT Media Lab, combines augmented reality, gesture control, collaborative work spaces and iPads to create a tool that allows multiple participants to simultaneously interact with a virtual object. The creators call it a "tool for spatial expression which acts as a window affording users a perspective view of three-dimensional data through tracking of head position and orientation."


Roughly translated: Using an iPad and a special glove you and a colleague can create and manipulate virtual objects shown on the screens of your iPads.

Speaking to Fast Co.design, one of the creators, David Lakatos said: "We tested it with a bunch of people, and they feel a kinesthetic connection between what they see on the screen and where their hand is," Lakatos says. "On a touch screen alone you wouldn’t do much better than sitting at your desk with a mouse. The gloves give you the literally free-hand spatial positioning. We think this is super powerful."