Siftables: From wireless sensor networks to tangible user interfaces

Interacting with a computer using a keyboard and mouse is really starting to get old. I recently purchased a Tablet netbook and I have found the touch screen interface a pleasure to use over using the mouse; coupled with Vista's excellent handwriting recognition, the tablet has become my number one machine for use daily. But how about new paradigms for human-computer interaction that are not just a small change over how we interact with computers today but a completely new one?

Say hello to Siftables, the creation of MIT Media Lab graduate student David Merrill and his colleagues. Siftables are small blocks with a microprocessor, an LCD display screen, and the ability to sense other Siftables around them.

Siftables applies technology and methodology from wireless sensor networks to tangible user interfaces. Siftables are independent, compact devices with sensing, graphical display, and wireless communication capabilities. They can be physically manipulated as a group to interact with digital information and media. Siftables can be used to implement any number of gestural interaction languages and HCI applications.

It is very difficult to appreciate how innovative Siftables are to human-computer interaction from a textual description so I encourage you to watch the following video of David's TED conference presentation of his work. It is truly an amazing idea!