Intel this week demonstrated a concept that can turn just about any surface into a touch screen. Using a couple of cameras and a pico projector, this system projects an image onto the surface – say the benchtop in your kitchen – and you then interact with that imae with your hands. The cameras detect your hand’s movement and the system is then able to respond.
With the two cameras, the system actually works in 3D, and it’s also able to recognise certain objects that might be placed into its field of view. For instance, place some items of food into that field of view, and the system can suggest recipes that use the food.