Summary of Touché with Arduino
Touché is Walt Disney Research's capacitive-sensing method, Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing (SFCS), which measures an object's capacitive response across frequencies to detect touch and gestures. Dzl documents an early-stage Arduino-based attempt to emulate Touché, with ongoing improvements and a later instructable showing how to build it. Links to Geekphysical and Dzl's blog provide more details.
Parts used in the Arduino Touché Emulation Project:
- Arduino board
- Capacitive sensing electrode or conductive object
- Wires and jumper cables
- Resistors (as required for sensor circuit)
- Oscillator or function generator (or Arduino-generated frequency sweep)
- Ground reference or common ground connection
- Optional: shielding or enclosure materials
- Optional: breadboard for prototyping
Touché is a capacitive-sensing technology, developed by Walt Disney Research, which aims at providing touch and gesture sensitivity to a great variety of objects. From this research paper:
The technique behind Touché is known as Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing (SFCS): at a glance, by monitoring the capacitive response of an object over a specific range of frequencies (instead of a single one), it is possible to infer about its interaction with the outside world.
In his blog, Dzl describes his personal approach toward the development of a system capable to emulate Touché’s behavior with Arduino. Currently, the project is still in a early stage, but improvements and further developments are expected soon.
More information can be found here.
[Via: Geekphysical blog and Dzl’s blog]
UPDATE 2012-06-02: you can now try out how to make it yourself following this instructable.
- What is the sensing technique used by Touché?
Touché uses Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing (SFCS), monitoring capacitive response across a range of frequencies. - Can Touché behavior be emulated with Arduino?
Yes, Dzl describes an early-stage Arduino-based approach to emulate Touché. - Does the Arduino project fully replicate Touché?
No, the project is still in an early stage with further improvements expected. - How does SFCS infer interactions?
By monitoring an object's capacitive response over a specific frequency range, interactions can be inferred. - Where can I find more information about the Arduino implementation?
More information is available on Dzl's blog and the referenced Geekphysical blog. - Is there a tutorial to build the Arduino version?
Yes, an instructable was later published showing how to make it yourself. - What components are typically used in the Arduino approach?
The project commonly uses an Arduino board, electrodes or conductive objects, wiring, resistors, and optional prototyping materials.
