We wrote recently about the interactive wine bar at Adour in New York City's St. Regis Hotel, and since then we've spotted several mentions of iBar, a related innovation by UK-based Mindstorm.
Unveiled in 2006, the iBar is a customisable surface technology that turns any bar into a giant version of an interactive, touch-sensitive screen. Integrated video projectors can display any content on the bar's milky surface, while built-in intelligent tracking software continually maps the position of every object touching its surface. That input is then used to let the projected content interact dynamically with the movements on the counter, allowing coloured lights, for example, to illuminate, link and follow every movement of hands, bottles and glasses. Multiple people can interact with the iBar at once, and virtual objects can be "touched" with the fingers, enabling a game of pinball where players shoot with their thumbs, for example. Content that can be displayed on the iBar includes internet content, interactive games and advertising; bars can also be fitted with Bluetooth technology to allow consumers to download their own content. The iBar is a stand-alone system comprising modules 2m long, and it can be networked wirelessly to allow interaction between two or more separate units.
The iBar has already been used in events, exhibitions, product launches and top night spots all over the world, Mindstorm says, including BMW's head office in Munich, Geneva's Pimp Club and a gala dinner at Google. Such technologies certainly have the potential to transform the consumer experience at bars, restaurants and other venues, as well as providing a wealth of new advertising and point-of-sale opportunities. One to try out early!
Website: www.mindstorm.eu.com/solutions?category=ibar
Contact: ibar@mindstorm.eu.com
Spotted by: Donnie Lam
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If someone couldn't translate what juan said, he wanted to know about the prices.
I'd like to know too
I saw this product when I was in Londo and it's excellent. For those in the southern hemisphere the local agent is a company called 808 South - 808south.com.au.
in latin america an spain for adquire this surface interactive agent contact to ltinews.com
This iBar is Great!!
We have seen it in an exhibition in Franckfurt and it seems that Mindstorm company are the only serious players in the market. Their product are CE certified and lots of major companies go and see them.
www.mindstorm.eu.com
This is really nice !!! I am very interesting in introduce this product in my country, if you have, send me information !!!
Thanks a lot
Pablo Herrera E
www.gramaweb.cl
Chile South America
Hi i am about to open a bar in the Algarve, Portugal, how much does it cost, the total set up etc... Thanks, Lucy x
We've received a lot of enquiries about the iBar and hope to add information to our website as soon as we can. www.starlightfibreoptics.com
quisiera saber informacion de precios de la barra d bar. o si en españa hay delegacion.
gracias.
juan adolfo juarez martinez
juan adolfo juarez martinez | March 17, 2008 8:31 PM