LeviPath is a modular system to levitate objects across 3D paths. It consists of two opposed arrays of transducers that create a standing wave capable of suspending objects in mid-air. To control the standing wave, the system employs a novel algorithm based on combining basic patterns of movement. Our approach allows the control of multiple beads simultaneously along different 3D paths. Due to the patterns and the use of only two opposed arrays, the system is modular and can scale its interaction space by joining several LeviPaths. In this paper, we describe the hardware architecture, the basic patterns of movement and how to combine them to produce 3D path visualisations.

1. LeviPath: Modular Acoustic
Levitation for 3D Path Visualisations
Themis Omirou, Asier Marzo, Sue Ann Seah, Sriram Subramanian
https://twitter.com/BristolIG
https://www.youtube.com/user/BristolIG
University of Bristol, UK

6. Acoustic levitation
40 KHz
60o
Node
Antinode
Ultrasound speaker
Ultrasound speaker

7. Our Approach

8. Our Approach

9. Moving the bead
Pattern
Phase
Amplitude π
0
Amplitude 1
Amplitude 0

16. Application Scenarios
• Dynamic physical visualizations
• Handle material without touching

17. Conclusions
• LeviPath uses two opposed arrays to levitate objects
across 3D paths
• Multiple objects same direction
• Multiple objects in different directions
• Interactive Control

18. LeviPath: Modular Acoustic
Levitation for 3D Path Visualisations
Themis Omirou, Asier Marzo, Sue Ann Seah, Sriram Subramanian
https://twitter.com/BristolIG
https://www.youtube.com/user/BristolIG
University of Bristol, UK