Texas Instruments DLP Debuts Multitouch Technology Prototype for Classrooms

Texas Instruments (TI) DLP has unveiled a multitouch technology prototype capable of turning any surface into a fully interactive touch screen for multiple users, according to the company.

The new technology, which debuted at the InfoComm 2013 conference taking place this week in Orlando, FL, is designed to help educators create shared interactive experiences in the classroom. With DLP multitouch technology, teachers will be able to project a graphical display onto any surface, such as a whiteboard or wall, and then students can "touch" the projection to interact and manipulate it. A YouTube video demonstrating the technology shows a group of people working together to color a picture in a projected graphics application.

Key features of the multitouch technology include:

  • Any-format 3D compatibility;
  • Solid state illumination; and
  • High-contrast 1080p data projectors.

The solution registers up to 20 points of touch on any surface, "and from a technical standpoint, there's no reason we can't move well beyond," said Roger Carver, manager of DLP Front Projection, in a prepared statement.

"It's no longer enough to be able to simply view content, consumers expect to interact with their technology in a seamless way," said Carver. According to TI DLP, global sales of interactive projectors more than tripled between 2010 and 2012, and "schools are looking for a way to replicate the traditional chalk or whiteboard shared-learning experience with technology." The DLP multitouch technology will let groups of students work together on a screen as big as an entire wall.

According to a news release from TI DLP, "manufacturers such as Hitachi, NEC, Panasonic, and Ricoh have been adding DLP technology to their existing product lines to leverage DLP innovations," suggesting that those manufacturers may offer the DLP multitouch technology in the future.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • The AI Show

    Register for Free to Attend the World's Greatest Show for All Things AI in EDU

    The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, held April 5–7, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center, is a free event designed to help educators, students, and parents navigate AI's role in education. Featuring hands-on workshops, AI-powered networking, live demos from 125+ EdTech exhibitors, and keynote speakers like Colin Kaepernick and Stevie Van Zandt, the event offers practical insights into AI-driven teaching, learning, and career opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to integrate AI into classrooms while exploring innovations that promote equity, accessibility, and student success.

  • cloud, database stack, computer screen, binary code, and flowcharts interconnected by lines and arrows

    Salesforce to Acquire Data Management Firm Informatica

    Salesforce has announced plans to acquire data management company Informatica for $8 billion. The deal is aimed at strengthening Salesforce's AI foundation and expanding its enterprise data capabilities.

  • stylized AI code and a neural network symbol, paired with glitching code and a red warning triangle

    New Anthropic AI Models Demonstrate Coding Prowess, Behavior Risks

    Anthropic has released Claude Opus 4 and Claude Sonnet 4, its most advanced artificial intelligence models to date, boasting a significant leap in autonomous coding capabilities while simultaneously revealing troubling tendencies toward self-preservation that include attempted blackmail.

  • NVIDIA DGX line

    NVIDIA Intros Personal AI Supercomputers

    NVIDIA has introduced a new lineup of AI-powered computing solutions designed to accelerate enterprise workloads.