An overview on how walls can be turned into interactive digital surfaces

1. Interactive Digital Walls
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An overview on how walls can be turned into interactive digital surfaces

2. A formal
definition
An interactive wall is a physical wall surface
that is mapped with a digital display, such as
projection or digital screens and can be
interacted with - to manipulate content
displayed on it.
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3. In other words
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Consider an MDF, concrete
or any type of wall
Using some specific technology,
display hardware is mapped on
to it making it a ‘digital content
wall’ – although the content is
not interactive, like a video or an
image slideshow
Using hardware that enables
interaction and content
(software) that plays on it, the
digital display wall is made
‘interactive'

4. Types of walls:
Projection-based
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The simplest and the
most economical
way of turning a wall
into a digital display
surface is using a
projector. Projectors
come in various
types and have
different capabilities.
A simple whiteboard,
to a full cinema
screen can be made
into a visual digital
display using
projectors.

5. Types of walls:
Video Walls
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Another high-
resolution and super
fidelity option is the
use of LED-LCD
seamless video walls.
These are like
multiple TVs stacked
together in a matrix,
but unlike normal TV
screens, these have a
slim bezel gap. These
look pretty, but are
quite expensive.

6. Types of walls:
LED Walls
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The trendy and popular
modular LED dot-
matrix displays can
cover walls of
perpetually any size.
From a small corner
wall, to the size of the
façade on the Burj
Khalifa, LED displays
are super scalable and
can cover any shape
too. For indoor
interactive walls, these
have a limitation on
resolution, as high-
resolution LEDs come
with a 1mm pixel pitch,
and turn out to be
extremely pricy.

7. Making walls ‘digitally’
interactive
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When any of these
digital walls are
integrated with
special hardware
(usually sensors),
they become
‘interactive’.
Essentially instead of
content just shown
on the display, a user
can now change the
content on these
walls. To make this
content interactive, it
needs to be
programmed
accordingly. It’s the
same as making an
app for a wall-sized
smartphone.

8. Interactive Projectors
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With an advent of
digital whiteboards
in classrooms and
conference rooms, a
simpler way to make
an interactive wall is
to buy an interactive
projector. It is plug-
and-play hardware –
once connected, it
functions like a large
touch-screen.
Interactive projectors
have limitations in
terms of the display
area and also
shadows in case of
front projection.

9. Overlays
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Walls can be made
interactive using touch
overlay frames. These
consist of IR or surface
acoustic wave sensors that
can make the surface
interactive. A tempered
glass usually needs to be
placed between the frame
and the display, to make it
scratch resistant. The
frame is visible, the touch
response is splendid.

10. Gesture sensors
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Another idea to
make a digital wall
interactive is by using
a gesture sensor like
the Microsoft Kinect.
This is economical
and easy to install.
Yet, you need special
programming and its
not as easy as
making a website.
Usually gesture
interaction works
well with games, but
can also be a novel
experience with
other interfaces.

11. Conductive Paint/Copper tapes:
Making flex or vinyl sticker based
surfaces interactive
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Normal walls can be
made interactive!
Imagine a wall with a
sticker or something
painted and if you
touch that part. Using
conductive paint,
copper tapes and
capacitive sensors,
these interactions can
be turned into any
type of actions – turn
an appliance on, play
a sound or show
visual content using
projection mapping.
This indeed is a
wonderful technology.

12. Considerations
for
requirement
gathering
Is there a display
mapped on the wall?
If yes, is it projection,
video wall or LED
tiles?
Depending on the
display, what type of
interaction hardware
can be chosen –
touch, gesture etc.?
Does your client
really need
interactivity and why?
Do they have
content? If yes, is it
designed and
developed for a larger
wall size?
The budget?
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13. Which parties are involved
The Wall itself Visual Technology Interactivity Content
The fabricator or
interior fit-out
contractor
Audio-Visual or IT
Contractor
Interaction
hardware
integration
company like
PearlQuest
Interactive content
design and
development company
like PearlQuest
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14. Thank you
PearlQuest Technology FZE
E-4, Level 15, Damac XL Tower, Marasi Drive,
Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
Landline: +971 4 2460119
Email: info@pearlquest.ae
Web: www.pearlquest.ae
We to create interactive walls