Sony Unveils Touchscreen Projection Technology at SXSW

Sony has unveiled a new projection-based touchscreen device at this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW).

The company’s research and development facility, Future Lab, is believed to be working on the new prototype. So, how does Sony’s new projection-based touchscreen device work? There’s still much that we don’t know about it; however, Sony gave the world a sneak peek at the prototype during its presentation at SXSW. Basically, the device works by projecting a touchscreen-compatible image onto a flat surface. As shown in the photo to the right, the small device projects an image onto a surface of your choosing, at which point you can tap and manipulate it just like any other touchscreen interface.

What’s even cooler about Sony’s projection-based touchscreen device is that it features a depth sensor. Basically, this feature can see what objects are placed in front of it, providing feedback on those objects such as height, length, depth, weight, etc. As noted in an article published by The Verge, Sony has demonstrated this feature at SXSW by placing small objects such as cups in front of the projector, at which point the device revealed the objects’ dimensions.

Of course, Sony isn’t the only company that’s experimenting with such technology. Other companies have launched similar projects that seek to turn any flat surface into a functional touchscreen interface. The concept of turning any flat and even surface into a functional touchscreen interface sounds promising, as it could be used for any number of different applications. For instance, business executives could use the device to turn a wall into a functional touchscreen interface, creating better presentations. The device could also be used for leisure/recreational purposes, allowing users to play games and run apps without needing a physical display.

So, when can you expect to see Sony’s latest high-tech gadget available for sale? Being that it’s a prototype from the company’s R&D department, there’s no guarantee that it will ever be made available to the public. Many of Sony’s Future Lab projects in the past never grew out of the prototype stage — a fate that may hold true for its projection-based touchscreen device. In any case, other companies are also experimenting with this technology. So even if Sony doesn’t follow through, there’s a good chance that you’ll see similar devices on the market in the near future.