Technology is changing the world, in more ways than we can keep up with. Along the same, we are today introducing Lightform. The name doesn’t give much away however, the startup has the potential to bring a paradigm shift in how we interact with the technology around us. The company is working upon a technology that allows the projection of augmented reality onto the surfaces around us.
Speaking on the topic, Raj Sodhi, Co-founder, of the company said:
We call it the ubiquitous user interface.
And ubiquitous is the right word. The startup is attempting to looking to bring full-room projection mapping technology within the reach of the masses, and make it something that is available to everyone.
Projection mapping, in case you are aware of it, is just another name for projected augmented reality. The technology deploys a series of video projectors to cast light onto irregular surfaces. The surfaces that are eligible for receiving projections include everything ranging from buildings, faces, and even the walls of the living rooms. I can hear your mind racing with the implications of this, but, this tech has actually been around for decades.
However, what kept this technology from the masses was the fact that it was simply too expensive and complicated. I mean, it isn’t like a smartphone that you can just pick up and start using. However, Lightform is attempting to bring a paradigm shift not just to the technology, but also how we interact with the world around us.
Lightform’s main product is actually a computer. However, it is not your usual run-of-the-mill system. What we have here is a small box that packs a processor and a pretty high-resolution camera. What you need to do is hook the computer with any projector and then watch as the magic unfolds. Initially, the projector makes a map of the whole room by dividing the whole room into a bunch of grids. The system then deploys onboard camera to recognize all the objects that are in the room. The purpose? Well, that is how Lightform’s system creates a 3-Dimensional map and accesses which surfaces it can project light upon and where it can not.
So, what Lightform does is that it helps you transform everything in a room into a screen. We are not talking about the spaces under the bed, the light should still be able to reach it. However, assuming the light can actually reach someplace, there is no limit to what you can do with it. For instance, you could literally cast a movie on the walls all round you. You could also use the tech to cast different patterns on different objects. Casting menus on blank screens, creating water drops around plants that need watering –you are limited only by your ingenuity.
However, Lightform isn’t exactly stopping here. The company envisions a future where projected augmented reality takes a role at the front and center. Imagine living in a world where everything important lives right around you. Where you can be reclining in your armchair and an important call you receive is projected right on the wall right in front of you — and you can pick it with a wave of your hands.
There is a lot more that can be done of course. Just think about what is possible if you combine this technology with voice recognition. Speaking out and getting any information you need displayed right in front of your eyes, watching videos and changing them with a swipe of your hands or a spoken command.
