La Tabla Is an Open Source Tabletop Projection System
Like something right out of Tron, La Tabla is an open source and inexpensive system that transforms an ordinary tabletop into an…
Like something right out of Tron,La Tabla is an open source and inexpensive system that transforms an ordinary tabletop into an interactive surface.
“It’s a magical table — put things on it and they come to life.”
La Tabla uses projection mapping and computer vision to create a “magical table” capable of making music, playing games like pinball or Tabla Tennis (similar to Pong), and displaying animations based on a sequence of drawings.
La Tabla is open source, and the parts — a computer, web cam, and projector — are relatively inexpensive.
As seen in the video below, interactions can be controlled via sheets of paper, blocks, and the human body as needed. It’s an interesting concept for fun and entertainment, and perhaps could even be used in collaborative work environments!
La Tabla introduces a groundbreaking way to interact with computers. Rather than using a finger to click on a mouse or poke at a screen, you reach into the simulation world with two hands, bringing the full force of your hominid dexterity and playfulness to the table. Because you can put whatever you like — coins, stones, books, drawings, yourself — into the simulation world, play is surprisingly improvisational and open-ended. Playing with others doesn’t require sharing a mouse, keyboard, or network connection. Everyone sees and touches the same thing, which is such a profound way to interact that we take it for granted during our everyday, non-computerized, life.