Disney has just unveiled the Botanicus Interacticus, an interactive plant platform that, when touched, will create music and sound. The Botanicus Interacticus system works for both living and artificial plants, turning the biennial into a touch-sensitive system much like a tablet or smartphone.
A single electrode that's connected to a computer is added to the plant's soil. When the plant is touched, such as by moving your hand down the stem, grasping it or tapping one of its leaves, Disney's Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing (SFCS) translates the contact into analaog signals and subsequently produces sound and music.
According to Disney, the platform offers a range of applications, such as "designing interactive responsive environments and new forms of living interaction devices as well as developing organic ambient and pervasive interfaces."
Touch-Enabled Musical Plants
Disney's Botanicus Interacticus Will Produce Sounds Based on Contact
Trend Themes
1. Interactive Plant Platforms - The trend of interactive plant platforms that allow for touch-enabled sound and music production offers opportunities for developing innovative interfaces for home automation systems.
2. Swept Frequency Capacitive Sensing - The trend of using swept frequency capacitive sensing technology to enable touch-sensitive systems offers opportunities for developing novel interfaces for a range of applications, from wearables to gaming consoles.
3. Organic Ambient Interfaces - The trend of developing organic ambient interfaces via touch-enabled plant platforms offers opportunities for creating immersive experiences for museums, parks, and other public spaces.
Industry Implications
1. Home Automation - The home automation industry can leverage interactive plant platforms to develop new solutions for enhancing the smart home experience through touch-enabled interfaces.
2. Wearables - The wearables industry can incorporate swept frequency capacitive sensing technology to enable touch-sensitive interfaces that offer novel ways for users to interact with their devices.
3. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can use touch-enabled plant platforms and organic ambient interfaces to create immersive experiences for visitors of museums, theme parks, and other entertainment venues.