Dynamo is a public multi-user interactive surface that supports the cooperative sharing and exchange of a wide range of media.

Dynamo Screenshot

The Dynamo project overview:

Under an EPSRC grant (GR/N01125) we have developed a new kind of interactive wall display for community file sharing in public places, called Dynamo.

The idea is for it to be installed in public community centers, like cafes, bars, libraries and other places where people get together and share experiences, but usually only have lightweight technology on them - like mp3 players and digital cameras. Dynamo allows people to plug-in these personal devices via USB2, and place files onto the wall by drag and drop (e.g. music, photos, videos, office docs or live web-pages) via it's multi-user UI.

Files can be posted-up or exchanged with other people quickly and easily, and with the blinding speed of USB2.

Imagine exchanging big files like music and video with friends and locals in a relaxed social environment, without having to lug your laptop out and about. It could even replace the jukebox or pin-board in your local bar.

Dynamo is a 3 year EPSRC funded project. It is concerned with the support of cooperative access to and sharing of information within public spaces across public (e.g. plasma screens or whiteboards) and personal displays (e.g. laptops, tablets or PDAs).

A main target group are delegates and people working at conferences. People in these settings are typically nomadic and need to exchange and share information. Their interactions range from formal, structured sessions to informal, ad-hoc and serendipitous meetings.

Increasingly, a range of personal technologies are available for supporting the sharing of information for people 'on the move' (e.g. PDAs, MMS/SMS capable cell-phones, laptops, digital cameras, USB flashdisks, etc). Nomadic workers would benefit greatly if such devices could seamlessly interoperate with each other and those in the environment (e.g. large projected displays, printers, etc). Besides enabling information to be accessed, interacted with and moved more seamlessly across devices and betwen people, it could enable novel kinds of co-operative activities. Our research is exploring both possibilities.

Dynamo demo video :