DESIGN NAME: Atmo
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Interactive Boardgame Console
INSPIRATION: The project started as an experiment with using interactive lights to enhance boardgame immersion. It evolved into a fully standalone device, that has acces to new games all the time, like a Playstation for boardgames. We use state of the art technology to bring games to life. It was very important for us to keep the physical parts of boardgames, but bring then new functionality with digitalisation. With projected boards, we have the ability to create completely new game mechanics.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: ATMO is a projected Augmented Reality tabletop gaming console, where players can interact with the games using physical dice, tokens figures, etc. The machine recognises what is happening on the table, and reacts to it with animations, light and sound effects - thereby making the play even more immersive. This solution mixes the quick and intense feedback of videogames with the social and tangible aspects of face-to-face boardgames. The result is a fun experience for all ages.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Interaction with the machine happens through physical objects such as dice, cards, tokens and figures. The machine recognises each element and their positions, then reacts to them according to the game being played. There is an operating knob on one edge of the table, that allows players to switch games, adjust the number of players, etc.
Interactive tutorials help players learn the rules of each game, like a videogame. This way we can take the boring part out of learning a new boardgame.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in 2015 as a light experiment in Eindhoven and finished in 2018 November in Budapest. It was part of the Kibu Talent program in 2016 in Budapest, and the Startup Sauna accelerator program in Helsinki in 2017. It was exhibited around the world, including Essen Spiel 2017, Slush 2017 in Helsinki, PlayIt 2018 in Budapest.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Digital and Electronic Device Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: CNC milled oak legs and oak Multiplex plywood table surface, bent sheetmetal joints and inner structure, 3D printed details.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Width 1300mm x Depth 800mm x Height 2020mm.
Projection resolution 1280px x 800px
TAGS: game, interactive, table, play, projector, AR, experience, ambient
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Our research was conducted through iterative prototyping. We built over 40 different prototypes, each using the learnings from previous prototypes. All of the prototypes were then tested by users. This also applies to the software running on the device. We made changes according to the feedback we got from these users. This allowed us to make better decisions step-by-step. After a lot of user testing, we designed the current version with confidence. All prototypes (including the current product) are very modular, so it allows for quick upgrades, and easy A/B testing.
CHALLENGE: The main challenge has always been fitting all the necessary electronic components into one product. The firs prototype was the size of a whole room. The geometry is defined by the projector and camera optic constraints. It took us 3 years to get the perfect arrangement of parts, to be able to fit everything. Heat generation was also an issue, but the new configuration allows us to use passive cooling. We used as few parts as possible, to make assembly easier. We also optimised everything to be cheap to manufacture, so we can make more devices on limited budget.
ADDED DATE: 2018-12-03 15:12:09
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Balint Zsiga
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Creator Gabor Balint, ATMO, 2018.
Image #2: Photographer Gergely Palmai, ATMO, 2018.
Image #3: Photographer Gergely Palmai, ATMO, 2018.
Image #4: Photographer Gergely Palmai, ATMO, 2018.
Image #5: Photographer Gergely Palmai, ATMO, 2018.
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