An interactive floor that you can take places!
Whether you're a DJ, an event planner, or a childcare professional, chances are you've encountered interactive floors and wondered how you can create something similar that's easy to pack, transport, and set up on your own.
Portable interactive floor display systems can be purchased from a variety of companies, and they're great for advertising, healthcare, education, occupational therapy, sensory rooms, events, and all kinds of other applications.
How to build a portable interactive floor system
Recommended equipment
Here is a complete list of links for equipment you can use to make a portable interactive floor like mine. We don't check these links every day, so if you find that any of these links aren't working, feel free to contact us and I'll update it for you.
This list was last updated on September 23, 2006
- Boom stand SmallRig: https://amzn.to/4hlZDvf
- Camera adapter SmallRig: https://amzn.to/4xFj0qg
- Road case 18.50"L x 18.50"W x 13.50"H interior, 20.00"L x 20.00"W x 22.00"H exterior, 43lbs (make sure the projector you choose will fit): https://amzn.to/4xzVB9H
- Computer Beelink SER8: https://amzn.to/4aL2Umq
- Projector Epson PowerLite 760W Ultra Short Throw: https://amzn.to/4cXgNiD
- Camera Orbbec Astra 2: https://store.orbbec.com/products/astra-2
- Camera extension cable Newnex: https://www.ntcdistributing.com/usb-extension/10gbps-usb-3-2-active-cable-a-m-to-c-m-up-to-26-ft-8m/
- Marley floor: https://amzn.to/4AoCa6F
- Vinyl floor tape: https://amzn.to/4AIZGLM
- HDMI cable, 15' - only needed if the computer will be more than a few feet away from the projector: https://amzn.to/3V9kEmB
Cost
The good news is that the cost of building your own portable interactive floor setup is a fraction of the cost of a turnkey solution, as long as you're willing to do the work.
The total cost will be around $2500 - $3500 USD if you buy all your equipment brand new, but you can get many of these components used or refurbished. Keep reading to see a complete list of items you'll need to make your system.
You can see LUMOplay's software prices here.
How to build a portable interactive floor system
- Set up your projector on top of your table or road case so it's standing sideways (with the mirror pointing at the floor).
- Plug in the projector and turn it on so you can see the display area. Use the menu features to keystone it or adjust it until it is a rectangle if necessary.
- Use the projector menu to flip the image so that the bottom of the projected image is the edge furthest from the projector. This helps reduce the impact of shadows on players. The setting is usually called 'front ceiling mounted' or something similar.
- Attach the camera adapter to your boom arm tripod mount
- Attach the camera to the camera adapter and and position the camera above the center of the display, facing down towards the middle of the projection area. You camera should be 8' - 10' from the floor.
- Connect the camera to your computer. If the cable does not reach you will need to use a high powered active extension cable. We've included a tested USB extension cable in the recommended equipment list - a charging extension cable won't work with a high data transfer device like a 3D camera.
- Connect the computer to the projector using an HDMI cable.
- Turn the computer on.
- Install and launch LUMOplay and follow the calibration instructions.
- Play a game!
Your setup should look something like this:
Creative setup examples
Here are some amazing examples of portable setups created by our community members. If you have a portable system, we'd love to see it!
Our friend Bruce runs a sensory lab in Taiwan, and this is his custom LUMOplay setup.
Questions? Contact us!