Comparing Multi-touch Tables and Interactive Projectors
Why Choose omiVista?
It can be a daunting task deciding which type of system to choose for the provision of interactive sensory activities in a care environment, whether it be for dementia care. or care for those with learning disabilities in a special needs school, hospital or centre.
We will look at some of the differences between the two types of system a multitouch screen, or a “magic table” interactive sensory projector such as a Tovertafel or omiVista.
Magic table projectors are better suited to those with diminished cognitive ability especially those in the more advanced stages of dementia or profound learning disabilities.
What is a multitouch table
A multipoint touch screen is effectively a scaled up mobile tablet either running Android or Windows, which recognises more than one point of contact with the surface simultaneously, with as many as 32 independent touches possible, but more typically around 8 or 10. Larger static Multi touch screens and tables are ideal for museums and exhibition or entertainment and leisure environments.
What is a Sensory Projector
Sensory Projectors work by showing an image on a surface whether it be a tabletop, floor or wall, and reacting to movements or gestures from the user, typically using a suite of activities and games specifically designed for the users, either elder care, learning difficulties adults or as part of a sensory environment for autism and learning disabilities.
Key differences between the different systems
- Cognitive ability: Touch screen tables are designed for the more cognitively and physically able, with the ability to understand and operate the system, whereas the magic table projectors are better suited to those with diminished cognitive ability especially those in the more advanced stages of dementia or profound learning disabilities. The touch screen system is typically more menu driven and requires a greater degree of understanding to participate.
- Portability: Touch Screen Tables are typically mobile in that they can be wheeled around a room, but can be awkward to move around a building or between floors. Interactive projectors may be static ceiling or wall mounted units, or fully portable such as the omiVista Mobii allowing ease of movement between rooms and floors of a care home or special needs school.
- Interactivity: Multitouch surfaces respond to up to 32 touch points simultaneously, but the system can struggle to operate with unintended input such as someone leaning on the surface. Interactive Projectors offer a big output from a small input, which is more engaging and less intimidating for those of varied ability levels, small gestures can result in large responses in the activity or games, and there is often no right or wrong just participation. The degree of interactivity on a multitouch screen is determined by the software used, and the touch points specified by the particular activity which can be as low as 1 or 2.
- Number of Users: Both systems can be used by multiple users simultaneously, with the multi touch screen responding to up to 32 points of contact, this suits the more cognitively able, whereas the interactive projector, is limited only by the number of people around the projection surface whether it be a floor or a table, it will respond to any and all gestures or motions on that surface. When used on a tabletop a sensory projector can comfortably accommodate 5 to 6 participants, whereas the multitouch screen will rarely be used by more than 2 people simultaneously due to the greater complexity.
- Adaptive Difficulty: It is often important to be able to quickly change the difficulty of activities and games quickly to adapt to the varying physical and cognitive capabilities of different users, Interactive Projectors such as the omiVista Mobii or install, have dedicated remote controls allowing for immediate changes to difficulty and speed allowing for greater inclusion. Most multi touch table systems involve navigating a menu based system and changing setting through the menus.
- Physical Involvement: Both types of system can be used to run games and activities on a tabletop environment, the interactive sensory projector can be used to project onto a large floor area though, which encourages floor activities which may involve lower limbs and a greater degree of physical engagement. Touch screens can get hot while being used and with the reflective glare from the toughed glass this can be stressful for some.
Interactive Sensory Projectors offer a big output from a small input, which is more engaging and less intimidating for those of varied ability levels
Multitouch tables or screens offer advantages in menu driven environments for the more cognitively able such as museums, whereas interactive sensory projectors are better suited to community care environments with a greater mixture of cognitive ability, and are more inclusive of those with varied ability levels, and offer a greater degree of physical stimulation, ideal for people with learning difficulties or disabilities. Interactive Sensory Projectors are also popular choices in Sensory Rooms either at special needs schools, hospitals or day centres.
If the omiVista system sound right for you then contact us to arrange your free demo today.
Sensory Integration Education recognise OMi as preferred suppliers
Sensory Integration Education recognise OMi as preferred suppliers.
OMI are proud to have been recognised as preferred suppliers by Sensory Integration Education for helping to transform care delivery. SIE are a world-class, international training provider of sensory integration courses for professionals and parents of children with sensory issues including autism, sensory processing disorder and ADHD.
OMi have been transforming care delivery through motion activated experiences for sensory and learning environments since 2005, and continue to lead the way in creating multi- sensory rooms that encourage active engagement through motion. OMi systems allow for precise control of levels of stimulation, for those prone to sensory overload, having the ability to easily control the levels of sensory stimuli is important.
Find out more about OMi’s sensory products for SEN, adults with special needs and elderly care.
Learn to recognise and support sensory needs with SIE
Sensory Integration Education is a not-for-profit organisation providing university accredited postgraduate online training in Ayres Sensory Integration. SIE provide online courses for professionals and parents of children with sensory issues including autism, sensory processing disorder and ADHD to improve awareness, understanding and the treatment of sensory integration and sensory processing difficulties
Find out more information about Sensory Integration Education and their recent article detailing OMi’s amazing offers to SIE Members – you can also find out about membership here – ideal for anyone and everyone interested in or affected by sensory integration or sensory processing difficulties.
TAD Podcast Innovation Spotlight on Life Stories Initiative
OMi’s Life Stories Initiative is featured in the Innovation Spotlight of the latest episode of The Future of Care for Dementia and an Aging Population podcast by Third Age Design.
This month the Third Age Design Podcast was recorded live from the Care Show 2021 in Birmingham, and discusses issues including the impact of environment on staffing, care integration into the community and significant technological innovations in dementia support.
The Innovation spotlight this month looks at the personalised Life Stories experience available on the omiVista Mobii interactive sensory projector. Offering stimulating and beneficial person centred care by providing an interactive experience based around significant and meaningful images and music, to help connect people with dementia to staff, family and other residents.
Find Out More About Life Stories Initiative.
Listen to The Future of Care for Dementia and an Aging Population podcast by Third Age Design here: https://bit.ly/3q6wfRG.
Stay abreast of the latest global design innovations in care, dementia and retirement living with Third Age Designs monthly podcast, examining trends for dementia care and support for care for an aging population significant technological innovations in dementia support.
The Future of Care for Dementia and an Aging Population Podcast is also available on Google Podcast, listen here: https://bit.ly/3nQ8PNG
Celebrating the launch of the omiVista Mobii 3 interactive sensory projector.
Following the success of the omiVista Mobii 2, with over 1000 units being delivered into the UK care sector alone, OM Interactive have announced the launch of the latest generation of their UK built mobile sensory projector, the omiVista Mobii 3.
The omiVista range of sensory projectors includes the mobile Mobii 3 and the Install ceiling mounted system both of which come in editable or non-editable versions, and are aimed at the SEN, CSEN, and Adult Care Sector, with and expanding activities suites designed specifically for each market.
Mobii projectors are simple to use motion-activated sensory systems designed to engage and motivate people with cognitive, physical or sensory impairment, enabling care staff to lead them in a wide range of fun, creative and social activities. Mobii 3 has improved motion tracking technology razor sharp pictures and amazing videos with incredible colours and brightness, while providing outstanding reliability and longevity.
Mobii 3 new features & improvements
- A new and improved ergonomic Bluetooth remote control.
- New improved movement tracking technology.
- Easy access focus controls now located on top panel.
- Larger back storage panel with remote control holder.
The portable Mobii 3 system projects interactive sensory images onto any horizontal surface including tables, floors or beds. Providing adults in care at different stages of dementia or people with learning difficulties and disabilities at different levels of cognitive and physical ability with a range of sensory activities, games, and music designed to stimulate, relax and enjoy.
The Mobii’s exceptional versatility enables use with small or large groups as well as individually which enables care staff, teachers or activities co-ordinators to facilitate interactions and engagement in lots of different care and support settings.
OM Interactive have led the way in providing inter-generational sensory projections in schools, homes, hospitals and specialist centres since 2005. With a dedicated team of engineers, designers and health-care specialists they have created a bespoke range of sensory products that provide meaningful activities for all ages and abilities to encourage movement, active participation and shared enjoyment.
In 2018 the OMI team were delighted to receive the National Dementia Care Outstanding Product Award in ‘recognition of the incredible opportunities the omiVista Mobii system has brought people at all stages of dementia.
Find out more about the new omiVista Mobii 3 and how it can deliver meaningful and person centred activities for those in your care
Magic tables bring joy and laughter to care homes
MHA, the largest charity Care provider in the UK are investing in Mobii interactive, motion-activated sensory projection systems which support residents living with dementia – and the effect on residents, their families and staff has been amazing.
Staff using OMi Mobii Magic Tables at MHA care homes in Falmouth, Stoke on Trent, Chippenham and London have been able work with residents like never before.
Mobii’s use of therapeutic scenes and sounds which derive from nature have been known to instantly promote feelings of calm for residents living with dementia.
L/r: Falmouth mayor Geoff Evans, resident Mavis Brand and David Sanders the Activities Co-ordinator at MHA Langholme in Falmouth, pictured with the “Mobii Magic Table.” Picture by Colin Higgs
With the goal of stimulating, engaging and relaxing the mind, the sensory projection technology, which is manufactured by OMi in the UK and nicknamed ‘Mobii magic tables’, comes equipped with quizzes, music and themes that have been designed to prompt conversations, spark nostalgia and maintain memory. Its use of therapeutic scenes and sounds which derive from nature have been known to instantly promote feelings of calm for residents living with dementia.
Through this motion-activated technology, residents can reach out to crack an egg and make a cake, grow a flower simply by touching it, and even dip their toes in the water as the tide rolls in – all without leaving the sense of security that their own room provides. This is made possible by the Mobii’s portable and height-adjustable properties which are able to project coloured streams of light onto any table, bed or floor.
MHA’s Operation Manager for Dementia David Moore said: “The tables provide endless possibilities for residents, their families and staff to enjoy activities together. The technology is portable, meaning everyone within the home can enjoy it.”
Read the full article on the MHA website here: Magic tables’ bring joy and laughter to care homes
OMi Working With Care England
OMi are proud to be Supporter Members of Care England the leading representative body for independent care services in England.
We look forward to working together with Care England to help support the important work of Care Homes of varying types and sizes, amongst them single care homes, small local groups, national providers and not-for-profit voluntary organisations and associations. Providing a variety of services for older people and those with long term conditions, learning disabilities or mental health problems.
To find out more about our partnership with Care England please visit their website at http://www.careengland.org.uk/om-interactive
