The Bookseller – News – Augmented books step closer to being available on commercial scale, say researchers

Researchers on the College of Surrey say they’re a step nearer to creating augmented books, or a-books, accessible on a industrial scale. 

A-books allow readers to devour info on the printed paper and display screen aspect by aspect and the know-how is almost definitely to be helpful with journey guides and academic books.

Dr Radu Sporea, senior lecturer on the Superior Know-how Institute (ATI), stated: “The way in which we devour literature has modified over time with so many extra choices than simply paper books. A number of digital options at the moment exist, together with e-readers and good units, however no hybrid answer which is sustainable on a industrial scale.   

“Augmented books, or a-books, could be the way forward for many e book genres, from journey and tourism to schooling. This know-how exists to help the reader in a deeper understanding of the written subject and get extra via digital means with out ruining the expertise of studying a paper e book.”  

Energy effectivity and pre-printed conductive paper are among the new options which allow Surrey’s augmented books to now be manufactured on a semi-industrial scale. With no wiring seen to the reader, they permit customers to set off digital content material with a gesture, reminiscent of a swipe of a finger or flip of a web page, which is able to then be displayed on a close-by machine.   

The undertaking has thus far obtained £900,000 of presidency funding. The staff is hoping to get company and e book business curiosity to assist additional develop and refine the know-how.

George Bairaktaris, postgraduate researcher on the College of Surrey and a part of the Subsequent Era Paper undertaking staff, added: “The unique analysis was carried out to counterpoint journey experiences by creating augmented journey guides. This upgraded 3G mannequin permits for the potential of utilizing augmented books for various areas reminiscent of schooling. As well as, the brand new mannequin disturbs the reader much less by robotically recognising the open web page and triggering the multimedia content material.  

“What began as an augmented e book undertaking, developed additional into scalable person interfaces. The methods and data from the undertaking led us into exploring natural supplies and printing methods to manufacture scalable sensors for interfaces past the a-book”.