Touchscreens in 3D ?

while touchscreen devices are more ubiquitous than ever, really only allow users to draw in two dimensions. beyond is a concept that allows users to sketch in three dimensions of an interactive surface developed by jinha lee and hiroshi ishii of the MIT media lab. the system utilizes a collapsible input device for direct 3d manipulation. the small pen-like tool collapses into the digital world when pressed
against the screen, giving the illusion that it is inside the virtual space. by moving the pen around the screen and adjusting its height, users can draw objects in three dimensions. by adding an interactive glove element, the system can even be used to draw cubes, cylinders and other three-dimensional objects. while the concept is quite novel, it could become an indispensable tool for designers sketching digitally.

http://tangible.media.mit.edu/person.php?recid=81

Beyond – Collapsible Input Device for Direct 3D Manipulation beyond the Screen from Jinha Lee on Vimeo.