Haptix sensor turns any flat surface into a multitouch surface

In the past year we have seen some remarkable devices such as Leap Motion Controller that aim to change the way we interact with our computers and revolutionize the whole concept of sending inputs. While motion sensor controlled gadgets are not that popular right now the multitouch screens have become a standard. Everyone knows how multitouch works and most tech savvy people have smartphones, tablets and even laptops that feature such interactive displays.

Now a new device has been created called Haptix. The Haptix is a sensor for laptops and desktop PCs that can turn any surface into a multitouch surface allowing users to control what’s on their screen just by using their fingers. Users can perform inputs just like they would on a normal touch screen and see the results in real time on the display of their computer, TV or any other screen.

Haptix has been designed by keeping both laptop and desktop PC users in mind. It can be connected with the monitor using the clip or placed anywhere on a flat surface user wants to have a multitouch experience on such as a table. With this device users can perform actions on their chosen surface and the device will convert those inputs into signals that will be translated into multitouch inputs. By using this device users can do tapping, zoom, pinching, scrolling, swiping and perform other gestures just like they would do on a tablet’s display. Just imagine that you are using a tablet without actually touching the screen of the tablet.

PC users can also play games that support multitouch input such as Fruit Ninja and others. Apart from gaming this innovative input device can also be used for other fun and super useful purposes such as drawing. By turning a paper into a multitouch surface with Haptix users can simply draw on it with a pencil and their actions will be converted into multitouch signals with which a digital image would be created on the computer following the pattern of the drawing on the paper.

The exact location of the fingers is shown on the screen with the help of on-screen circles even when the fingers are in air and not touching the artificial multitouch surface. This allows users to know where exactly will their touch translate to on the computer so they can adjust accordingly. To click on anything users can move their finger on the link by hovering it on the surface and then performing a tap action. This process according to project’s founders is faster than using a trackpad.

Adding multitouch is not the only feature Haptix sensor has. Apart from turning any surface into multitouch it also adds a 3D sensing layer on top of it. Using this feature users can hover their fingers for different actions such as moving the on-screen cursor. The sensor keeps track of where your fingers are even when you are not making any connection with the surface. This adds to the overall accuracy of Haptix.

Haptix sensor may not be  for everyone but it is certainly a great way to add a multitouch experience to laptops and desktop computers. This method of multitouch input seems way better than adding a real multitouch screen on a laptop, which simply looks and feels ridiculous to me.

Users can put Haptix on their monitor’s screen with a clip or place it casually on any surface they want a multitouch layer on.

Haptix sensor is currently seeking funding from the Kickstarter community where it has already completed its goal of $100,000 and is currently sitting at over $162,000 with 3 days still remaining. The estimated delivery date for Haptix units is February 2014. You can get one for yourself by contributing $69 or more here. All $59 slots have already gone.

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