Account
SpringloadTouchless
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2020
Submission # 154
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Output
Self-initiated – Tāku kaupapa
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Kaupapa
Innovation – Technical
Impact – Social Good
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Location
Wellington, Te Whanga-nui-a-Tara
Project Overview:
Springlabs is a dedicated team at Springload focused on creating new opportunities for social and environmental impact. They’ve designed Touchless as a cheap and quick way to keep interactive exhibits alive at a time where people are discouraged from using high-touch public spaces.
Touchless transforms any personal device with an internet connection into a remote control, so that people can operate interactive screens without needing to physically touch them.
This is a self-driven project aimed at the GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) sector, where interactives hold so much of the joy and learnings of the exhibitions. Touchless offers an easy solution to adapt existing HTML/Javascript interactive exhibits, and it also opens up the possibilities for creating new remote-first experiences.
Kaupapa:
The intention behind Touchless is to keep interactive exhibits alive at a time where people are discouraged from using high-touch public spaces. Developed in response to the global pandemic, Springlabs aims to provide safe, cheap, and easy-to-implement support to the GLAM sector.
Touch based exhibits that may be impacted during lockdown restrictions can be handled safely with Touchless. By removing physical limitations, Touchless also promotes digital inclusivity. Interactive screens previously limited to one person can now be available to many people simultaneously.
Response:
Over three months, the Springlabs team has successfully turned their idea into a practical, remote-first solution for the GLAM sector.
Touchless is cheap and quick to implement. Springlabs has built a script tag that can be added to existing HTML/Javascript interactive exhibits. The Touchless technology includes a web app and a cursor displayed on the interactive screen. The web app and cursor communicate in real time via a local or externally hosted server.
To transform a personal device into a remote control, a QR code can be scanned using a device’s built in camera app or QR code reader. Alternatively, people can enter the URL manually to get started. The default remote control is a joystick which communicates movement based on velocity and direction. For cursor-based interactive experiences, this gives precise control and allows for greater distances to be covered on screen in a short amount of time.
Springlabs goal is for Touchless to be a versatile and viable solution for many. They’ve used a modular design approach that allows for a range of custom inputs to match the needs of an exhibit — for example, a canvas for drawing or a text and voice input for searching can be displayed. This project successfully addresses the risk that high-touch spaces pose during a pandemic, and also explores innovative ways to expand the capabilities of interactive touchscreens.
Archiver’s Response:
"Clever and gracefully simple.
Assuming the brief went something like "How can we make a touchscreen touchless". This is the perfect response. Well done."
"A simple tool that open new perspective in term of interactive design and addressing public health issue."
"This project uses design to create a user experience and product that is forward thinking, innovative and a direct response to change in the world."
"An appropriate response to the times we live in."
Credits & Collaborators: Creative Director - Dan Newman Designer - Ben Wright Technical Lead - Joris Rotteveel Blank - Robin Marshall (Head of Innovation and Impact) Blank - Usha MacDonald (Front-end Developer), Lachie Philipson (Experience Designer)
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