New multi-touch table recognises objects and people

Historical product announcement from September 2018: The following information describes the generation of devices available at that time. You can find the latest configurations and features on our Multitouch Table page. Garamantis’ laser-based environmental sensing is now documented in the granted patent specification DE102018124452B4. Product recognition and people detection are distinct functions; the current principles are explained in our articles on capacitive and optical object recognition.

The Berlin-based company Garamantis has developed the first multi-touch table capable of recognising people: the device tracks the exact location of visitors in its immediate vicinity and displays targeted messages and information to them. It can also identify objects such as products, leaflets and business cards. The table is designed for professional 24/7 use and can be easily transported and assembled. This makes the multi-touch table particularly suitable for use at trade fairs and events.

Using a sensor, the table detects people in its vicinity at a distance of up to six metres. This has two advantages: the device can draw these visitors’ attention to itself and invite them to use it. Furthermore, the table can adapt the software to the user’s position. When there are several people present, the table can orientate the individual content to the line of sight of each person standing nearby. “People detection enables companies to address their customers at trade fairs and events in a more targeted and personalised way,” says Marcus Dittebrand, founder and CTO of Garamantis.As well as people, the multi-touch table can also recognise objects. This works both on the screen surface and, optionally, using camera-based technology: in this version, the table has two scanner slots on the underside of the screen, where leaflets, badges and business cards are recognised and processed. “By combining analogue and digital elements, lead generation is automated and significantly simplified,” says Dittebrand.

The most important component of the new device is a 55-inch Ultra HD screen manufactured in Germany (3840 x 2160 pixels, 1388 mm screen diagonal), which is optimised for continuous horizontal operation (24/7) and offers high visual clarity (450 cd/m², contrast ratio 4000:1) as well as a particularly robust design. “Our new multi-touch table uses the highest-quality individual components available on the market,”says Garamantis CTO Dittebrand. The integrated PC is equipped with an Intel i7 processor, 16 GB DDR4 RAM and an NVIDIA Quadro P3000 6 GB GDDR5 graphics card, making it suitable for demanding 3D multi-touch software. This allows multiple users to operate the table simultaneously – the screen can process up to 80 parallel touch points using the Projected Capacitive Touch (PCT) sensor. All cables are concealed, and all external ports are covered. “It was important to us that the table was not only technically state-of-the-art, but also had an elegant and modern design,”says Dittebrand. The table can be fully assembled and dismantled again with just a few screws. Garamantis supplies a matching flight case on wheels for transport. The frame is powder-coated in the colour of the customer’s choice.

The portable multi-touch table is now available to order from Garamantis and can be delivered within 4 to 8 weeks. In addition to the hardware, the Berlin-based company offers a full-service package, helping clients to develop a concept tailored to their specific target audience and to integrate the content into bespoke multi-touch software. The content is sourced from a web-based content management system (CMS).