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InfoComm13: Multitouch finds its place in pro AV

Interactive touchscreen technology will take the stage with audiovisual tech at InfoComm13.

June 10, 2013

The audiovisual industry will descend upon Orlando, Fla., this week as InfoComm13 kicks off on Wednesday. But even though the show touts the title of "the largest pro AV show in the world," according to the show's website, it encompasses far more than just speakers and lighting.

A range of technologies from interactive touchscreens to roving robots will be on display in the Orange County Convention Center, serving as evidence of the growing field of relevant tech in the pro AV space. Here is a roundup of a few exhibitors with applications in kiosks and self-service:

3M Touch Systems will showcase its 17-inch dual-touch chassis display thatthe company said is ideal for kiosk applications requiring the flat-front surface design and dual-touch gesture performance found in popular smartphone and tablet devices.

The display's chemically-strengthened glass and anti-glare treatment supports heavy-use public applications while maintaining the kiosk's functional, optical and aesthetic characteristics. Dual-touch projected capacitive technology enables applications and operating systems to create user experiences beyond traditional single touch interactions, the company said. The projected capacitive sensor allows the system to quickly and accurately track two simultaneous touches across entire touchscreen.

"This new display helps satisfy our customers' need for a commercial-grade, high-performance multitouch display solution with a stylish flat front surface look and full-HD resolution," said Diego Romeu, global business unit manager for 3M Electronic Business Solutions.

Interactive display systems provider MultiTouch Ltd. will showcase its MultiTaction Cells and turnkey interactive systems. The company will provide live demonstrations of its MultiTaction Cell 55-inch model with ultrathin bezel, all-in-one MultiTaction Cell 42-inch model with Enriched Reality technology, new MultiTaction Presentation Templates and MultiTaction Site Manager for remote interactive display management.

The company said it will highlight the exhibit of "the world's first and only stackable MultiTaction Cell 55-inch with ultrathin bezel," which provides a seamless interactive multitouch and multi-user experience with a 1080p HD resolution per screen and stacking capabilities for large-scale installations. MultiTouch's live demonstrations of its all-in-one MultiTaction Cell 42-inch will feature real-life object recognition and 2D barcode detection through its patented Enriched Reality technology — each providing a different way to launch content on MultiTouch displays. Live demonstrations will also include native SUR40 applications that can be run on MultiTaction displays.

In addition to its interactive displays, MultiTouch will also demonstrate MultiTaction Presentation Templates, a new, customizable turnkey interactive solution. MultiTouch has developed MultiTaction Presentation Templates to easily create unique applications for various types of content involving videos, images and e-books. With the built-in support of Enriched Reality and MultiTaction Codice, the product is a complete interactive system with real-life object detection and user identification for all AV projects, the company said.

Digital signage software provider Visix Inc. will exhibit a wide variety of integrated digital signage solutions at this year's show.

"This year, we're highlighting the effectiveness of the technology instead of just the components," Visix President Sean Matthews said. "By focusing on the desired result of using digital signage, instead of just the feature set, we've been able to grow and improve our offering exponentially. You'll see more interactivity, more integration and a real focus on motivating the audience to take action. It's not just wayfinding anymore ... It's integration for self-service."

Visix said it will showcase a wide variety of award-winning interactive designs from their Creative Services team, including custom theme designs, menu boards, interactive wayfinding, XML-driven directories and social media boards.

The company also will demonstrate its enterprise product, AxisTV digital signage software version 8.2, with new animated layout backgrounds and support for hot spots and full-screen kiosks; the latest version of its Announce digital signage content management application; and its APPOINT and APPOINTwmv desktop applications that allow users to schedule their PowerPoint presentations to digital signs. APPOINTwmv also renders any PowerPoint presentation as a video, so clients can schedule it to any content management system.

Visix said it has combined its interactive designs with its scheduling products to launch the new RoomBoard — a touchscreen wayfinding solution that shows room availability, allows scheduling at the screen and integrates with MeetingMinder conference room signs.

"This is the natural next step in our offering," said Trey Hicks, chief sales officer for Visix. "By combining digital signage, interactive wayfinding, full-screen kiosk support and room signs, this product gives customers a robust self-service room management solution."

Robotic technology solution provider iRobot will showcase its latest product, the Ava 500. The company worked with Cisco to develop this enterprise-grade video collaboration robot that can maneuver around an office like a kiosk on wheels.

With Ava 500, a remote worker sitting in front of a standards-based video collaboration system can meet with colleagues in an office setting, or take part in an experience such as a facility tour, which would otherwise be difficult or impossible.

The iRobot mobile robotics platform maps its own environment so that it can intelligently self-navigate busy, real-world enterprise environments like offices, manufacturing floors and laboratories without bumping into people or objects, according to a company news release.

To create Ava 500, iRobot enhanced its Ava mobile robotics platform with Cisco's TelePresence EX60 personal video endpoint. By mounting the EX60's 21.5-inch HD resolution screen atop the mobile robotics platform, the solution builds on the values of telepresence by extending the "power of in-person" beyond fixed environments, the company said.

"iRobot is excited to work with Cisco to bring this next generation of telepresence to businesses worldwide," said Youssef Saleh, vice president and general manager of iRobot's Remote Presence business unit. "iRobot has been successful in introducing autonomous remote presence platforms to hospitals. Ava 500 will unlock new markets and applications for telepresence in the workplace."

Check back for show highlights later in the week, as DigitalSignageToday.com editor Christopher Hall reports from the show floor.

Read more about interactive touchscreens.