INSIGHTS / News

SETsquared Bristol member Ultraleap has launched an application that will enable companies to retrofit existing kiosks and touchscreens, moving consumer interactions with public screens into mid-air. The technology is aimed at venues such as restaurants, train stations, hotels, museums and airports.

TouchFree works like a touchscreen by detecting a user’s hand in mid-air, converting it to an on-screen cursor, and supporting interaction methods that users are familiar with. Using Ultraleap‘s camera module and hand tracking software alongside the application, touchless gesture control can be added to any screen to create a hygienic alternative. Venues like restaurants, train stations, hotels, museums, and airports rely heavily on public touchscreens and kiosks which, according to Ultraleap research, are now perceived as unhygienic.

Steve Cliffe, chief executive at Ultraleap, said: “Conventional touchscreens have worked well over the years because of their convenience, but people want to be able to interact with them in ways they perceive to be safe. Our recent research showed that just 50 percent of consumers were likely to use touchscreens again. TouchFree is the ideal application to retrofit existing touchscreen-based kiosks for businesses looking to encourage users back, maximise user interaction, and ensure customers feel safe.”

Ultraleap has collaborated with more than 20 kiosk makers, brands, and agencies on the application, including Cortina Productions and Intuiface. Jim Cortina, principal, and director of development at Cortina Productions said: “We’ve received many requests from our museum clients to turn their touchscreen exhibits into touchless experiences, and fast. TouchFree gives us a viable and customizable solution to interact in a safe and engaging way.”