Awesome Interactive

Artists Prokop Bartoníček & Benjamin Maus created Jller, a fascinating machine that is capable of automatically identifying the geologic age of individual stones, then sorting and organizing them according to their era. Its slow and methodical approach is hypnotic.

Engineers from the MIT Tangible Media Lab have improved upon their earlier tactile display system, adding the ability to control the perceived amounts of flexibility, elasticity, and viscosity. The result is a display that can feel like a variety of materials, from rubber to water.

Display technology company Barco demonstrates its a rear-projection video wall, which uses lasers and custom sensors to allow it to detect an unlimited number of touchpoints, and lets users view and interact with content in an expansive virtual desktop.

Hero Design has created what could best be described as the world’s largest (and best) Lite-Brite. The wall-mounted grid is loaded with RGB LED dots which can be set to any color by simply turning them. Shut up and take our money.

Creative technologist, artist and hacker Martin Backes created this computerized installation which endlessly sings hit ballads from the ’90s, vocalizing the songs with a sort of robo-speak which expresses a tremendous sense of emotion.

In his Sisyphus series, artist Bruce Shapiro creates hypnotic, non-permanent works of art using computer-controlled contraptions which make intricate patterns by rolling a magnetic ball through a tabletop covered with sand.

The music video for J-pop act Namie Amuro asks you to participate with just one simple act – placing your finger in the middle of the screen. The only downside is that you’ll end up with a big greasy fingerprint there by the time it’s over.

This massive chandelier in Russia’s Leningrad Center uses a grid of 1,089 moving wires, each of which has a multicolored LED orb at its tip. Its computer control system lets it create wireframe objects that look like they’re floating in space.

Designed by Adrien M & Claire B, Kinetic Sand is an interactive installation which displays moving wisps of virtual sand which react to objects placed on its tabletop surface. If you’re in Paris, you can check it out starting June 2015.

DJ Qbert teamed up with UK firm Novalia to create this awesome album, which incorporates an interactive set of turntables with printed electronics which work as MIDI triggers for an iOS app when touched. (Thanks Richard!)

New Zealand musician Nigel Stanford’s electronic track is made complete through a series of visual experiments which demonstrate the interaction between sound and matter – augmenting his music with fire, sand, fluids, and electricity.

This concept by ÉCAL design student Alice Robbiani, is comprised of a magnetic smartphone charging case with a wall-mounted charging base. What makes it truly special is the interactivity, offering charging feedback and a clock display.

Created Hiroshi Ishii, Daniel Leithinger, Sean Follmer, Amit Zoran, and Philipp Schoessler from MIT’s Tangible Media Group, TRANSFORM is an interactive display of moving pixels which can dynamically rearrange themselves. More here.

While it’s not going to replace your Pizza Hut server quite yet, we’re really digging the UI that Chaotic Moon Studios developed for this interactive table which lets you drag items onto your pizza and pay with your smartphone.

Artist Evan Holm’s performance installation not only looks beautiful, it proves that a turntable can still work while submerged in water – though it does distort the sound a little bit. The vortex formed as the record plays is really amazing.

Almost 50 years after the release of Bob Dylan’s first electric single, Like A Rolling Stone finally has a music video and an interactive one at that. Flick through the different ‘stations’ for a different experience every time you watch.