Aquaplay, a bubble display

So the winners of the Ars Electronica Prix have been announced. The winner of the [next idea] caught my attention:

“‘Aquaplay’ is an ambitious application for displays; it is based on air bubbles rising through a special fluid. This technology constitutes a completely novel idea and a dramatic contrast to pixel graphics”. (congrats to Himanshu Khatri for winning)

I have posted a roundup of bubble displays on Pixelsumo before, so I’d be interested to see which direction this project takes.

Aquaplay will be a large installation, with a matrix of release valves (creating a 3d image) and a touch surface for user input.

Concept image:

Prototype photo:

There are three main challenges I think will need to be overcome; the weight of the water on that scale, the user input around a wrapped surface and viewing text from multiple angles. Good luck Himanshu. Expect a report on the final piece in September.

Posted on May 23rd 2006 under Ars Electronica