Tom Gerhardt has developed a new "organic" interface based on a tub of mud.By manipulating the mud in the tub interactions are converted into computer input in the same way that free air gestures or multitouch are converted into computer input. The primary difference being that (a) you get tactile feedback from the mud and (b) you get dirty using it.
I'm not sure if this has broader applications but the concept of using a mailable 3d material to interact with computers is not completely new - this however is the first time I've seen the idea put to the test.
The question is: Is this a Tangible User Interface (TUI) or an Organic User Interface (OUI)? I lean toward TUI as an organic use interface would need, in my opinion, to be built on input devices that can change form and whose form also represents the information being manipulated. Mud fulfills the first requirement but not the second as defined here.
It's hard to imagine the practical applications of the MudTub but it looks like it would be fun to try out and I can see the possibilities when working with the disabled. That said, for now I'll just call it weird but interesting.
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