TransWall, a new concept game media using a double-sided transparent glass wall, was developed by Professor Woohun Lee from the Department of Industrial Design and by Professor Geehyuk Lee from the Department of Computer Science at KAIST.

TransWall was exhibited in SIGGRAPH 2013 Emerging Technologies, where innovative technologies and applications of the latest developments in several fields, from 3D displays and interactive input devices to collaborative environments and robotics, are presented. The conference took place in Anaheim Convention Center from July 21 to 25. TransWall was selected as the highlight of the conference.

This new technology transforms a glass wall into a rich interpersonal communication medium. The concept is based on a see-through display wall, which responds to touch on both sides. The wall provides vibrotactile feedback, which is feedback from the perception of vibration through the sense of touch, and displays audio.

Users can enjoy gaming via a shared see-through display and communicate by talking to or touching one another through the wall. They stand face-to-face, so they can compete or collaborate with others in a more natural way. When they touch the same spot at the same time, TransWall provides specific visual, acoustic, and vibrotactile feedback, which helps users feel as if they are touching one another.

TransWall could also become a feature in open interior spaces at various sites ranging from shopping centers to museums and theme parks. It could inspire high degree of social interaction. In the near future, Transwall could be installed in places that require physical isolation for security and safety, such as a germ-free room in a hospital.