Gaming research and prototypes have created a lot of buzz at the Computer Human Interaction conference in Paris this week.
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Microsoft Research presented its IllumiRoom project, which is designed to create an immersive experience for gamers. Using a Kinect sensor, the geometry of a room is taken into account and then a digital projection of complementary content is displayed on a gamer's walls.
Another project called Kinect Wheels allows games using the Microsoft Kinect sensor to recognize a wheelchair, allowing people in wheelchairs to control those games in the same way as people who are able to stand. The project is aimed at both young and old gamers "to experience something interactive" according to one researcher.
On Monday researchers from Germany's Hasso Plattner Institute presented Constructables, an interactive laser cutter that cut wood designs in real time. The team hopes that the project will decrease fabrication time.
Researchers from Queens University showed Paper Tab, which is a trio of flexible, networked e-ink displays that mimic physical paper documents. The displays can work in tandem when brought close together or function as individual screens.