Source : WinRumors.com

Microsoft’s Research team revealed one of their latest projects on Wednesday.

“HoloDesk” is the latest in Microsoft’s work on natural user interface (NUI). The project was born in the Sensors and Devices group at Microsoft Research cambridge. HoloDesk lets users manipulate 3D virtual images with their hands. Microsoft blogger Steve Clayton introduced the technology on Wednesday and says he “can envisage future applications in areas such as board gaming, rapid prototype design or perhaps even telepresence, where users would share a single 3D scene viewed from different perspectives.”

The technology is similar to augmented reality approaches. Clayton notes that the use of beam-splitters and a graphic processing algorithm sets its apart from other 3D interaction experiments. The HoloDesk project is the latest in a string of Microsoft Research projects unveiled this week. The software giant revealed its “OmniTouch” technology earlier this week alongside “PocketTouch“. OmniTouch is a research project designed to turn any surface into a touch screen. The project makes use of a Kinect style camera to project output and capture input. Microsoft’s PocketTouch work involves a custom sensor to allow users to control smartphones through clothing.

For more information on Microsoft’s HoloDesk project, please see Microsoft’s Research site or watch the video below.