Tag Archive for: Magic Table

care home residents using interactive sensory table

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.

interactive sensory projector in special needs sensory room

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.

Mobii £ interacive sensory projector for tables and floors

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.

omivista mobii 3 interacive table projectorMobii 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.

new Bluetooth remote control for omivista mobii interactive projection system

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

mobile interacive mobii table and floor projector

mobii magic table brings joy and laughter to care home in falmouth

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.

Mobii Magic Table in use by care homes staff and residents

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

Carey Lodge, Fremantle Trust

Carey Lodge in Leighton Buzzard Buckinghamshire provides specialist residential care for older people, including those living with dementia, in a safe and welcoming environment. Each person has a personal support plan and has their Bradford Well-being Profile regularly assessed.

Having successfully fund-raised for a Mobii magic surface, interactive floor and table projector  Sue Faulkner, Community & Lifestyle Manager for Fremantle, looked forward to sharing it with the residents of Carey Lodge.

From the very first moment the Mobii was turned on she says;

‘I was absolutely amazed at how active and involved they became. It’s been wonderful to see them all engrossed laughing and chatting amongst themselves. When we [projected] the coral reef with fish onto the floor they all began to dip their feet in with one resident exclaiming; ‘Wow it’s like I’m paddling in the sea how wonderful’ and another joined in ‘it reminds me of my holiday by the sea…listen to the water, we can see the fish, I used to have a fish like that one’.

Throwing the bean bags into the puddles of paint on the floor to ‘splash’ them has been another favourite. ’I love this game’ said one of our ladies. They are often disappointed when the session ends for lunch!

Over the weeks we have seen all nine residents Well-being Profile’s improve, with a few residents showing a marked change in their outlook. Dot has thoroughly enjoyed participating in the sessions, concentrating for far longer then she has ever before and more importantly showing enjoyment from interaction with her fellow residents. When Anne takes part in the games she is more able to articulate how she feels and clearly enjoys the sense of community that arises from coming together with others.

carey lodge residents enjoying sensory table top painting activities

Over the weeks we have seen all nine residents Well-being Profile’s improve, with a few residents showing a marked change in their outlook.

There have been some other very special moments too. We have an older gentleman who we’ve struggled to reach who was also no longer communicating with his son when he visited. His son mentioned he used to have a passion for aircraft so we encouraged him over to the Mobii magic surface table and chose the ‘Spitfire’ app. As soon as he moved his fingers he could hear the sound of a spitfire in the distance, we encouraged him to scatter the virtual clouds out of the way and the spitfire got louder and slowly came into view. Seeing him motivated to move and then hearing him say ‘plane’ with a big smile as he pointed at it was just so emotional for all of us. The combination of hearing the distinct sounds of the spitfire, then having to scatter the clouds out of the way to see it seemed to revitalise him for a while. Those precious moments of re-connection with his son were invaluable, we were all emotional wrecks!

We are so pleased with the contribution the Mobii magic surface has made to Carey Lodge already, inspiring group participation and bringing real therapeutic benefits. We are excited to create our own apps using resident’s photos, paintings and music as a way of personalising the system and aiding reminiscence by helping them to connect with positive memories.’

Sue Faulkner, Community & Lifestyle Manager, Fremantle Trust

sunrise of eastbourne using thier mobii magic table sensory activities

Sunrise Eastbourne, Sunrise Senior Living

sunrise of eastbourne using thier mobii magic table sensory activities

Case Study: Sunrise Senior Living Eastbourne

It doesn’t sound like a huge thing but to give anyone a reason to interact in a physical and sensory way is widening their daily experience and enabling us to have an insight into the person behind the dementia. That’s pretty special.

Sunrise Senior Living in Eastbourne provides high quality personalised nursing, dementia care and assisted living.

They bought a Mobii “magic table” interactive sensory projector for floors and table over a year ago for use in their Memory Care neighbourhood, where they are dedicated to providing enriched person-centred care.

Sunrise residential care in Eastbourne

Nancy Walford, the Reminiscence Coordinator ( now Deputy Manager) talks about the effects the Mobii sensory activities has had on one particular Sunrise resident living with dementia:

‘One of the ladies we care for is quite insular within her world, she rarely opens her eyes and interacts, but since we’ve had the Mobii magic surface we have found a means to connect with her, it really has opened up her world. Now she will open her eyes and engage with the pictures on the table, she particularly enjoys participating in the nature ‘wipe’ activities.

Prior to the sensory table we have had little insight into how much she understands and processes, this new knowledge allows us to tailor more activities around her needs.

Although she is unable to communicate verbally, she is able to feedback her enjoyment by reaching forward to colour in certain images, this tells us she is seeing the picture and understanding there is something to colour like a bird or a landscape. The Mobii magic table is clearly giving her the motivation to stretch and interact with her environment and by repeating this action we know she is actively enjoying the process. Prior to the table we have had little insight into how much she understands and processes, this new knowledge allows us to tailor more activities around her needs. The table also provides her with a sense of achievement, her movements are changing the picture and she can see the product of her interactions and feel accomplished.

The Mobii magic surface has also increased her upper body mobility by giving her a reason to sit forward and outstretch her arm, it doesn’t sound like a huge thing but to give anyone a reason to interact in a physical and sensory way is widening their daily experience and enabling us to have an insight into the person behind the dementia. That’s pretty special.’

Nancy Walford

Deputy Manager, Sunrise Senior Living, Eastbourne

Find out more about Sunrise Senior Living luxury life-enabling care for older adults

See the Mobii in action

Request a free personalized demo of the Mobii or other omiVista system in your care home, or live online and discover how our interactive sensory activities improve the quality of lives of people in care and living with dementia.