Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute have developed a low-cost method of turning a wide variety of surfaces into touchpads, such as this steering wheel. Image credit: Future Interfaces GroupResearchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Human-Computer Interaction Institute have developed a low-cost method of turning a wide variety of surfaces into touchpads, such as this steering wheel. Image credit: Future Interfaces GroupResearchers at Carnegie Mellon University are turning unconventional surfaces into touchpads using simple tools like spray paint cans.

Using a technology called Electrick, researchers turned walls, furniture, toys and Jello-O into touch screens by applying electrically conductive coatings to these objects. Attaching a series of electrodes to the conductive materials, researchers showed they could use a well-known technique called electric field tomography to sense the position of a finger touch.

“For the first time, we've been able to take a can of spray paint and put a touch screen on almost anything," said Chris Harrison, assistant professor in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute (HCII) and head of the Future Interfaces Group.

Until recently, larger touch screens were both expensive and irregularly shaped. Now, with Electrick, the surfaces can be made by applying conductive paints, bulk plastics and carbon-loaded films (among other materials). Researchers consider Electrick to be compatible with traditional manufacturing methods like spray coating, vacuum forming and casting/molding. It also works with 3-D printing and is accessible to hobbyists.

The group will present Electrick at CHI 2017, the Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, this week in Denver.