Metaio develops technology to operate computers with heat detection

The German company Metaio is working on a way to operate computers by means of heat detection. The technique can be used on a variety of objects, such as paper, toys, and tables.

Metaio already has a prototype with the technology called Thermal Touch. This makes it possible to register the residual heat after someone has touched something. That registration uses the computer to operate software, MIT Technology Review writes on Friday.

Thermal Touch works by means of an infrared camera and a regular camera. The first registers the residual heat, while the other camera observes the visible light at the location of an object. Combining the images from both cameras ensures that the software knows when someone is touching something.

Metaio already has prototypes that work with a Surface tablet, the company shows in a demonstration video. The prototype makes it possible, for example, to touch a toy car and then add elements to the car using augmented reality. The technique can therefore be useful for designers.

Metaio told MIT Technology Review that the technique should work on a wide range of materials. Only with metal would Thermal Touch not work optimally, because that heat spreads quickly. In addition, the technology only works on flat surfaces or objects that the computer can register in advance. During the International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality in September, Metaio will announce more about Thermal Touch.