[accessibleimage] virtual, 3-D objects

Expatica.com
Monday, July 25, 2005

Spanish inventor makes 'Minority Report' a reality

MADRID - A Spanish inventor has made the virtual touching used by Tom Cruise in Minority Report a reality.

Researcher Teresa Gutiérrez has developed a system which allows humans to explore virtual, 3-D objects.

Gutiérrez, who works for the Fundación Labein, has been nominated for the European Commission's Descartes Prize for her work, which is part of the GRAB project.

She said she originally developed the technology to allow blind people to explore, for instance, virtual maps of cities, using their thumb or index figure.

However, she added that the technology could have other applications. "It can also be applied in fields such as medicine, aeronautics or virtual museums when it is difficult to get to the objects".

Gutiérrez said her invention works through allowing the user to feel the force and shape of a virtual object in their fingers, allowing the person to recognise the geometrical characteristics of what they are touching.

The person will also be able to recognise the distances and layout between various elements.

Another 13 scientific projects have also been nominated by the Commission for the prize of EUR 1.1 million. Up to five winners will be announced on December 2.

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