If a PC design concept ever makes it to market, the visually impaired will have an entirely new computing experience.  The “Sandbox PC” and Zen operating system work together that creates a “computing environment that can be used with eyes closed.”

The surface area of the Zen (Z-axis enabled) can take different physical shapes to form the interface required.  The active surface of the unit can form brail text, icons (with brail descriptions), keyboard and the text of a website (presumably in brail).

All input is made using the Tactile User Interface (TUI).  It certainly shows promise but is probably a few years away from production.  Or, it may not be produced at all.  Whether it is or isn’t, it is still an interesting concept.

Unfortunately, no mention of its other hardware is made but that’s to be expected.  There’s also no telling how much such a thing would cost even if it is brought to market.  I’m no analyst but the hardware to accomplish all this seamlessly cannot be cheap.

Perhaps the technology has other applications as well and could be used to give the iPod Touch (or similar device).  The iPod Touch lacks tactile buttons for controls and this or similar technology could bring that capability.

Multitouch and a tactile interface, now that would certainly be something to experience.

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Entry was posted on Thursday, February 28th, 2008 at 5:45 pm under Technology.

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