Touch screen projections have to be among the coolest modern tech innovations we have; they seem so futuristic, yet it’s already possible to project an image onto any flat surface, and turn the image into an interactive digital display. Here are two examples of cutting edge restaurants where customers can leverage projected touch screen technology to enhance their dining experience, a coffee maker that projects touchscreen buttons onto surfaces, and an interactive projector that can turn any surface into a touchscreen.
High Tech Restaurants
Adour Alain Ducasse is a restaurant at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City that uses projectors to create an interactive wine list at the Adour wine bar. According to Wired.com, the touch screen wine bar grants patrons the ability to discover grape origins, tasting notes and other crucial details — like price — with a few light taps. Those not so into the high tech wine experience (or those who prefer being served the more traditional way) can take advantage of the restaurant’s master sommelier.
Inamo, a pan-Asian restaurant in London, UK, takes touch screen projection to an even more advanced level with the E-Table interactive ordering system.
“Diners place orders from an illustrated food and drinks menu projected on to their table surface,” Inamo explains on their website. “You’ll set the mood, discover the local neighbourhood, and even order a taxi home.”
Beyond an interactive menu of items like grilled fish with Asian pesto and crispy five spiced pork belly, the restaurant incorporates playful experiences into the tabletops, like showing selections from the London Short Film Festival.
Not surprising, Inamo restaurant has received glowing reviews, and plenty of press and videos uploaded by patrons on YouTube.
Home Kitchen Projectors
While some of these projectors might seem like they should be straight from a science fiction film — or available only at a super swanky luxury establishment — it might not be too long before we have something like the MEM-COFFEE ceramic coffee set available for our own kitchen. The design by studiomem in Germany is currently still in concept phase, but we’re loving the idea.
Bring Your Touch Screen Projector Anywhere
OK, so now that you’ve seen touch screen projectors in restaurants and bars and in a crazy cool coffee concept form, it’s time to show you what’s actually available for personal use. Light Blue Optics is selling a “Light Touch” interactive projector that can turn any flat surface into a touchscreen — from your kitchen table to your bathroom counter.
“Light Touch™ has Holographic Laser Projection (HLP™) technology inside which creates bright, high-quality video images in WVGA resolution,” Light Blue Optics explains. “Integrated infrared sensors detect motion and turn the projected image into a 10.1″ virtual touch screen, so the user can control the projector and interact with applications simply by touching the image.”
We love the idea of touch screen projections in restaurants in particular, not just because they make us feel like the Minority Report is no longer that futuristic in concept, but also because the interactive concept gives diners a greater sense of independence and control. It also allows them to order and peruse at their own place, and to explore menus in as much or as little detail as they wish.
How could you use a touch screen projector in your life?