ABSTRACT
Researchers at MERL developed DiamondTouch - a muli-user, touch and gesture activated hardware technology - to support small group collaboration. Generally speaking, computers are extremely useful for supporting remote collaboration. Common use of email, remote collaboration tools such as NetMeeting, and even on-line gaming provides evidence that computers enable collaboration between people from different locations. But in the most common of cases where people are meeting face to face, arguably, computers get in the way. The best a computer can do in a small group setting is to allow one user to "drive" while other users watch. In this case, collaborators not in control of the keyboard and mouse become frustrated. Furthermore, the attention of the collaborating team is forced to focus on the computer display rather than on the team members. With a multi-user interactive tabletop display, users can maintain eye contact while the computer supports the team collaboration. And with the use of single-display groupware, all users can interact simultaneously.
In this demonstration, we will introduce MERL's DiamondTouch table and its capabilities. GIS applications as well as popular Windows office computing applications will help to highlight the multi-user features of the technology. We will also briefly present related MERL research in the areas of tabletop UI, integration of multiple displays, and remote collaboration.
PRESENTER
Dr. Adam Bogue,
VP Business Development, Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Adam Bogue received his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from MIT in 1986 and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management in 1990. Adam began work for MERL in June of 2000, and he supports business development efforts, including commercialization plans, 3rd party licensing, market research, and public relations.