Tangible Interactive Matrix for Real-time Computation and 3D Projection Mapping
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The Tactile Matrix, or Tangible Interactive Matrix (TIM), is an open source system for a machine-readable matrix of objects that performs real-time computation and dynamic projection-mapping. Illuminated, tangible-interactive matrices have immediate applications as collaborative computation tools for users who want to leverage matrix-based mathematical modeling techniques within a friendly and accessible environment. The system is designed as an open source kit of both off-the-shelf items (such as Lego) and components that are inexpensively fabricated with standard equipment (such as laser cutters).
The Tactile Matrix is designed to (a) make matrix-based mathematical methods more accessible and intuitive to users who otherwise do not have access to such tools and/or (b) provide an interactive narrative and story-telling device for experts who wish to present or explain matrix-based concepts to non-experts.
The Tactile Matrix is applied to many research projects to make complex systems intuitive and approachable for a broad range of stakeholders. It was first and foremost developed for MIT CityScope, but the platform is also being adopted for domains outside of urban planning.
Documentation
Case Study Implementations
Town Planning in Flinders New Town, Queensland, Australia 2014
Reconfigurable Cityscape, MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA 2014
Form-based Land Use Planning, Edinburgh Culture Summit, Scotland 2014
City Planning for Daylight, Energy, and Walkability in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 2015
Land Use and Transportation (LUT) Modeling, Toronto, Canada 2015
Bus Rapid Transit Planning and Community Engagement in Boston, MA, USA 2015
Kendall Square Algorithmic Zoning "Playground", Cambridge, MA, USA 2015
Hafencity University Planning Workshop, Hamburg, Germany 2015
CityFusion, Beijing, China 2015
Andorra Living Lab, Andorra La Vella 2015
Distribution and Logistics Planning, MIT CTL, San Jose, CA and Denver, CO 2016
Singapore Pedestrian Accessibility, World Cities Summit, Singapore 2016
"Finding Places" Refugee Planning, Hamburg, Germany 2016
"CityMatrix" Model, MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA 2016
Geobits, MIT Media Lab, Cambridge, MA 2016
CityScience Lab Aalto, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland 2017
CityScience Lab Shanghai, Tongi University, Shanghai, China 2017
Philips Lighting Research, Cambridge, MA 2017
PharmaScope, GSK, Stevenage, UK 2018
Places Initiative, GSK, Upper Providence, PA 2018
Origin
The Tactile Matrix was invented during a cold, Boston winter in January, 2014 by Ira Winder, Joshua Fabian, and Grady Sain while working for Changing Places Group in MIT Media Lab. The creators are heavily inspired by the work of Tangible Media Group at MIT Media Lab. The system has inspired input, experimentation, and hacking by numerous collaborators at MIT and beyond. Karthik Patanjali in 2015 oversaw the design, development, and manufacturing process of a standardized table module for the Tactile Matrix that is now used for most deployments.