logo for phase one

    PHASEtable

    : A multitouch open source hardware project.


    CONCEPT:


    Why does a multitouch table have to cost over seven thousand dollars?
    Because they're so scarce. Exotic mysteries with hidden guts. This website's goal is to show anyone how to build one for about one thousand dollars. (ed: it ain't there yet. currently looking at around $3K, and still have several major functional roadblocks to overcome which may drive the price up)

    My name is Warren Blyth, and I'll show you all of the parts, all of the code, and all of my development process (warts and all). (ed: the plan is to first list the final solution I came up with at the top of each page, followed by an expandable section with all the questions, notes, tests, and failures that led to it. Eventually video summaries with some personality.)


    PHASE one : proto typing
    As cheap as you can go without sacrificing resolution or speed. Tons of unexpected issues have arisen (not suprisingly I guess), so this current phase is all about sharing the pain, and getting to a usable first result.

    This table will use a DI multitouch approach (?). Hopefully completed by early summer 2011.

    This is the current phase! CLICK HERE TO ENTER and see how it's going!



    quick horrible photo:


    FUTURE:


    PHASE Two: Surly Phase
    This was the original goal, but the prototype has gotten so far off track that I figured it'd be wise to push SurlyPHASE back.
    The goal here is to get as close as possible to the industry leading multitouch product, at the cheapest possible price. Before January 2011, the industry standard pricing was around 14 grand, so I thought it'd be deliciously rebellious to show exactly how to match it: for 2 to 3 grand. But CES 2011 showed a bold new direction for the industry standard, focusing on flat screen HD tv with proprietary imaging tech building into the LCD display. ... I still think it'll be worth while to show how to make a cheap projector based table. Just a little less surly. :\

    The goal here will probably end up being : how cheap can you possible go, and still have something that lives up to my standards (of XGA projector resolution, and at least 100 fps response time). It'll also be a nice test run of the process I derive from all my experiments in phase 1. Still likely a DI approach (?). Hopefully completed by january 2012.

    PHASE Three: Crazy Phase
    The biggest and best thing I can figure out how to build, likely using DSI approach (?). Will probably take a while to save up the money to buy the things I've identified, so hopefully completed before the end of 2012. Might put up plans well before that though.