I was first introduced to Tilt Technology by Dan Zen’s Penguin Flash/Air Tilt Emulator System. This technology was created for designers and developers to aid them with creating mobile applications with Flash, that would enable their games to have tilt, turn and translate the device. The Penguin Tilt Emulator (which comes with Penguin) leave tilt data on your machine. Because the Penguin is able to read the tilt data your mobile creation will be able to produce Roll, Pitch, Yaw, Forward, Right, and Down data. I’ve seen some friends use this technology, and they had come up with some pretty interesting concepts on how to implement this technology into their game applications. At first, it took a little bit of getting used to the new rotation and tilt definitions. We use these sorts of physical movements (Roll, Pitch, Yaw, Forward, Right, and Down) everyday but implementing them and working in a 3d space was very new for me. If you’re interested, you should take a look at Penguin, there are some very clear diagrams that explain the concept of tilt technology or you could wiki the information. When I looked else where for translations of tilt terminology I found a lot referenced flight dynamics the science of air and space vehicle orientation and control in three dimensions. I found it helpful, when trying to understand 3d space/movement (wiki also has some animated gifs to illustrate the concept).
Often, when people think of tilt technology they think of using it just on their iPhone, smart Phone and I guess for air crafts. I was on Gizmodo and saw a video: “ Tilt-Shift Video Makes Demolition Derby Look Even Sillier ” interesting video where they filmed a video of real life gigantic monster truck show combined with stop motion and tilting the angle slightly. Although, this video did not include actual interactive tilt technology I found it inspiring, and perhaps a project I would like to pursue. I would like to use this same video effect paired with Tilt rotation/3d space to let users experience an environment in a less authoritative manner.
Another, example I’d like to share is impressive, it’s called the Future of Poker Technology the concept of implementing both multi-touch tables, mobile phones and tilt technology. This is a fully interactive poker game that utilizes the latest technologies and disregards all traditional poker cards, chips, tables and dice. I think the most impressive part is how the students at the University of Duisberg-Essen really focussed on the exploration of natural ways of interactions, including touching the tables, shaking, tilting and throwing the phone. Fun and clever.
Something I found interesting that does not have a direct relationship with mobile phones, but obviously uses the traditional air craft 3d space/orientations is NASA’s Puffin – Personal Tilt-Rotor Air Craft. This personal air craft is well.. awesome. Its an electric powered, hover capable, personal air craft. I want one. It basically puts all the tilt/rotational movements we create with our hand and iPhone.. but with our entire body positioned straight up. Take a look at the link to find out more details. Its not a real product yet, but there are some cool 3d Renderings/videos to help illustrate the concept. Perhaps in the future we don’t need our personal air craft.. maybe just some iPhones strapped to the palm of our hands as controllers – kind of like a wii controller but more fluid, natural and elegant.
I can see why this technology is important for the future of mobile and I am surprised to see that mostly games fill the market. I’m interested to see and explore how we can use mobile tilt technology outside of the gaming industry but more so within the arts/design community and in general how we can this tool be used better the lives of others? Interested to see where how this technology will grow and perhaps shape the future.
