TouchPico is a tiny handheld projector that when combined with an infrared stylus turns any surface into a giant interactive
'touchscreen'.
The device combines an 80-lumen Pico projector with an embedded Android PC and a stylus. Users can preload content apps such as Hulu, Netflix, Angry Birds and Skype -- downloaded from Google Play. The projector can create an 80-inch display on any flat surface, which the creators say should be thought of as a "giant Android tablet". The stylus can be used to interact with the projected images. The infrared detection technology -- a camera on the projector -- tracks the location with the stylus at a rate of 40 frames per second.
The TouchPico team is also looking for developers to think of new apps that take advantage of the 80-inch "screen" that the projector enables. This might mean large scale educational tools or board games.
The device is Wi-Fi-enabled, runs Android 4.0, and has an SD memory slot, HDMI input, audio output and a wireless mouse.
The team is also working on a TouchPico Pro -- a higher-end projector with 400 lumen brightness -- for use in the classroom.
There is an Indiegogo project raising funds to put TouchPico into production. At the time of writing, it had almost reached its $55,000 goal after just 2 days. All of the projectors at the early special price of $289 (£170) have been sold, but you can pick one up for $309 (£181). The retail price is expected to be $499 (£293).
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
