In an effort to dive deeper into HCI (Human Computer Interaction) by hacking together parts easily acquired, I set out to build something especially "non-computery" - introducing the Interactive Mirror. On paper, this construction looked like it'd be novel and fun. I was pleasantly surprised to see it was way more fun than expected once I fired it up.
The cognitive machine that is your brain automatically deals with things like size and distance and perspective, a job it hopefully does fairly well, you don't have to give a mirror's reflection much thought. However, interacting with buttons and animation layered on your reflection and the world behind you is unlike any other touchscreen experience. This unexpectedness, to me, is precisely the allure of HCI and all things touch-capable.
I thought to build this version of the Interactive Mirror after I saw some dielectric glass mirrors with LCD panels built into them. They're meant to be the bathroom of the future, complete with news and weather to accompany your toothpaste in the morning. Sounds nifty, but it looked completely un-fun. It lacked a human touch. I brainstormed with friend Sam Ewen and soon started cutting aluminum t-slot.
There are some tricks built into this installation: like internal mirror bounces for greater projection throw (wide angle lenses are expensive) and a projection running at an aspect ratio of 9:16 rather than 16:9. I'm also using mouse emulation, which is key in my opinion. Much like the Lasergames set up, I'm able to repurpose some of my previously created flash work or set up any game on the installation for instant action, making it a very dynamic system.
Watch in HD on Vimeo: http://www.vimeo.com/1867956
Watch in HQ on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAI9mF_cBu0
Thanks to Gosia, Nick, and Howie for getting on camera.
Contact me or Sam at InterferenceInc.com if interested.






what's the music in that clip? I like it
from the album The Prefix For Death, Instrumentals
I wannna play useless games on my mirror to i want i want!!
It's painful reading through everyone's e-mail addresses. What would the best case scenario be?
And the brutal part are the shockingly informal distribution offers. "Oh sure random person who commented on my video, you can totally distribute my product having said nothing about yourself at all... what's your name again?"
http://www.insearchofidentity.com/
http://www.interactivemirror.net/
http://www.madein.la/projects/
Although this interface is definitely a bit more focused on play and less on exploration.
Just a message to say : that rocks !
Glad to have worked on the project !!!
Where can I buy this mirror?
email me at any of these:
itsallgood428@gmail.com
itsallgood219@yahoo.com
sbenton28@youtube.com
snowflake428@bebo.com
plz send me how to get one
im impressed!
so many great uses for that!
Again, it green earth, save paper...
I just saw your interactive mirror on hack-a-day. I really like the piece. I have been thinking about projects using half-tone mirrors also but as of yet have not built any of them. I think you might like my work too. Do you live in New York? I am a student at the Interactive Telecommunications program at NYU. I would like to look at your website. How do I get a username and password? Would like to learn more about what you're doing and your business. Looking for work for when I graduate. Hope to speak with you soon,
Jason
I want it!!!
plz?
that would be awesome!
I very want it, but i know, i will not have them ;/ never.
But this dream [mirror] is nice
dean.wenzel@ntlworld.com
I'd like to discuss the Interactive Mirror with you.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks!
interactive window
ALEX SNAIDERMAN
asnaider@yahoo.com
Thanks
Great project: Useful and awesome!
(Merhaba. Gerçekten güzel bir uygulama olmuş. Çok farklı alanlarda kullanılabilecek şık bir etkileşimli medya aracı... Selamlar...)
Thank you,
Guillemo
Thanks!
James Vernon
Thank you.
I want to build one of these for the Home Makeover show My Home 2.0!
Hope to hear from you soon
Peter
954-274-7408
It probably costs a lot right? But it's bloody brilliant! Genius
Maybe if I win the lottery...
Thanks again
Regards
Wow fantastic stuff, I would be interested in finding out more about purchasing the mirror - details would be great size and prices etc. I think it'll be great with a business opportunity I have been working on.
Hope to catch up soon
Regards
bassboy@live.ca
i want one too!!! but i can't see any details on prices or where to buy. i'm guessing you are still not commercially selling them?
pleaseee lets us know if you will be selling them anytime soon and how much!
Thanks
I would be interested in details on this mirror, and would like to become an official distributor in Russia.
Contact me please: vitosh@list.ru
TheONLYsebo
I wish you could post a litle more info on the how to, just to get an idea where to start for building one.
Great Job
Please email me at darkwing8421@hotmail.com
Very Awesome!
I want to buy some to China
my email:nbljy@hotmail.com
very very interested in this product. I'm in college taking marketing studies and this is by far one of the best products I have ever seen made and is very extroardinary to market. Nut beyond that, im interested in this product.
Very interested in getting one. If so please contact me ASAP!!
Thank you very much.
Anthony
Unclescroogie@hotmail.com
Regards,
Steve
s.cvetkovic@bigpond.com
thank u
They are using mirropane (AKA 2-way mirror) and a projector behind the mirror (thats why they have the big box thing behind it and the light shining on the front of the person)
hiddentelevision.com has these types of mirrors and some nifty pictures of them in use (but not as spectacular as these guys!) Really expensive setup and Im still trying to figure out the hand tracking / mouse emulation deal, as these mirrors dont have touch-screen capabilities... maybe its similar to the webcam project MicroSoft has that that tracks objects and uses them as input..? tracking from the other side of the mirror? (since you can see thru it, to the lighted side) - my 2 scents (ewwwww!)
As many people on the forum have stated, this is very innovative and impressive idea. I am certainly willing to do business with you or Lit Projects if you have any intentions to commercialize this product. I am not sure if you have or will ever reply to the other requests on this forum, but I am seriously interested in becoming a distributor for my home country Bulgaria. I have the connections needed to market this product back home. If you are interested in my proposal, my contact email is as follows: georgi.shopov@gmail.com
I want one! How much?
Thank you.
Ben
Are there any available for sale? If so, how much?
You can reach me at: acmaren08@hotmail.com
Best regards,
acMaren
is robby186@aol.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32321818965
Please contact me with regards to obtaining your product. cuan_naidoo@live.com.au
Thank you.
I hope one day i can buy this to my Woman
that is so innovative, congratulations, are you in Milano? It would be nice to see your showroom, all the best..
If not, how much does the mirror cost?
It's painful reading through everyone's e-mail addresses. What would the best case scenario be?
And the brutal part are the shockingly informal distribution offers. "Oh sure random person who commented on my video, you can totally distribute my product having said nothing about yourself at all... what's your name again?"
This is an awesome project! I have seen a couple of similar products, but this one is much more fun!
how can i have more information about interactive mirror.
we work in interactive systems too . please visit : www.msionline.org
This is really informative, I am also dealing with the Highest Quality Luxury Mirrors on the internet. Using only UK manufacturers , all our mirrors are made to order and many of them can be custom made to your exact specifications. Hope you friends love to visit this site.
thanks
I am also dealing with high quality mirrors such as bathroom mirrors,wall mirrors and overmantle mirrors. For more info p/l check out my site.
quite informative, love to read this blog. We are also dealing with all shorts of mirrors such as bathroom mirrors, wall mirrors,
overmantle mirrors witch gives a sensationl looks to bathroom.
my email is koanish@hotmail.co.uk
Thanks and look forward to hearing from you,
I prefer my mirrors to more old style - Art Deco or Rennie McIntosh are my favorite styles.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, who is the fairest of them all.
Interested in distributing this excellent product.Please send information on this regards tothe email above or htaylor@taylorgroup.com.ar
Best regards,
BHerby Taylor
Thanks a lot!
from where?