Draw pictures in THIN-AIR: Headset lets you sketch floating 3D objects - and could spell the end of traditional computer screens
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A revolutionary device is set to do to computer screens what digital canvases did to the lowly artist's drawing pad.
Made from clear acrylic, the Gravity sketchpad let users create 3D drawings in mid-air using an augmented reality headset and stylus.
Radio signals track the movement of the stylus using coordinates before these movements are sent to the headset.
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Made from acrylic, the Gravity sketchpad, pictured, let users create 3D drawings in mid-air using an augmented reality headset and stylus. Radio signals track the movement of the stylus using coordinates on the clear surface and these movements are sent to the headset
THE GESTURE-BASED KEYBOARD
Microsoft is testing ways to add gestures to traditional PC keyboards.
The firm recently revealed a prototype that combined an Apple keyboard with an series of infrared proximity sensors positioned above the key caps.
Its prototype board supports gestures including pinch-to-zoom and swipe.
The prototype has been created for research purposes, but future models of Microsoft tablets and keyboards may include the technology.
'This tool completely revolutionises and surpasses the physical limitations of the current creation process,' said Daniela Paredes Fuentes from Gravity Team.
'By allowing creation through an augmented environment, Gravity allows for things to virtually materialise outside of the traditional screens or drawing pads.'
Gravity, which was created by students from London's Royal College of Art, is seen as a rival to Computer Aided Design (CAD) - the only current way to design in 3D.
Development of Gravity began in October 2013 by Innovation Design Engineering students, Guillaume Couche, Pierre Paslier, Oluwaseyi Sosanya and Daniela Paredes Fuentes.
The group believes Gravity, which is now a working prototype, will be the first in a new wave of 3D creation.
Fuentes said: 'What is most interesting for us is how people use it and what kind of idea it triggers.
'We are having a lot of interesting conversations with people who want to do animation with it, on-site design and educational tools.
Gravity, pictured, which was created by students from London's Royal College of Art, is seen as the potential rival to Computer Aided Design (CAD) - the only current way to design in 3D
Following the success of the prototype, the Gravity team hopes to launch Gravity Beta with a view to turning the device into a consumer product. It said it is 'positive' the beta will launch 'towards the end of the year' and the technology will go on display at the Royal College of Art Show in June
'We even discussed with a space exploration expert about the possibilities of visualising mission architectures and orbital dynamics.'
Gravity's software was developed in Unity, a 3D game engine, and can be used alongside almost any augmented reality headset.
The sketchpad was created with designers, architects and sculptors in mind, but the team behind Gravity believe the technology could impact the medical industry in the future.
'We have tested simulations of how the tool can be used as a communication device, between surgeons and bioengineers,' continued Fuentes.
Gravity's software was developed in Unity, a 3D game engine, and can be used with almost any augmented reality headset. The sketchpad, pictured, was created with designers, architects and sculptors in mind, but the team believe the technology could impact the medical industry in the future
Oluwaseyi Sosanya, from the research team, is shown testing Gravity during its development stages. The group believes Gravity will be the first in a new wave of 3D creation. It can also make collaborative work become 'more efficient and dynamic'
'With the increasing access to affordable 3D technologies, medical doctors here in the UK are now exploring how designing specialised fixtures and tools, which are 3D printed to specially fit a patients unique geometry and improve the outcome of particular surgeries.'
Following the success of the prototype, Gravity Team hopes to launch Gravity Beta with a view to turning the device into a consumer product.
It said it is 'positive' the beta will launch 'towards the end of the year' and the technology will go on display at the Royal College of Art Show in June.
THE 3D PRINTING PEN THAT DRAWS PLASTIC OBJECTS IN THIN AIR
The 3D printing pen from London-based LIX lets users write and draw in the air by melting plastic.
This means at the touch of a button you can create freestanding objects in a matter of seconds.
Essentially, LIX 3D printing pen functions similarly to 3D printers.
It quickly melts and cools coloured plastic, letting users create rigid and freestanding structures and can be plugged into any standard USB port.
The plastic is then fed into the pen and structures can be formed in any shape.
They can also be joined together after they've been drawn, letting users create large objects.
The pen is 6.45in (16.3 cm) long, 0.55in (1.4 cm) in diameter and weighs 34.9 grams. It is made of aluminium and comes in black or grey.
Inside the pen it heats plastic to 150°C (300°F), which is then pushed out through the nib as a hot liquid at the touch of a button.
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