Why is pool called pool? Well, it’s often called billiards, but here in the UK it’s pool… a bit odd since there’s no water involved at all.

Obscura Digital of San Fancisco have come up with a brilliant idea, called the CueLight, that tracks pool balls and projects images onto the table. The demo they give includes making it look like you’re playing pool in a pool! As the balls roll around they leave ripples and wakes but the effect can be altered so that they leave fire-trails, or reveal advertising.

I’ve seen something similar to this before. There’s a system in the shopping centre near my mum and dad’s house that has a projector and sensor in the ceiling, projecting a scene onto the floor and adding ripples whenever someone walks under it. It’s a great novelty item, and I have to admit that it’s quite fun to play with.

Would that kind of effect get a bit annoying after a while when playing pool? Possibly, but you have to admit it’s pretty cool too :) Head over to the Obscura Digital page to watch a demo video. The system itself costs $80,000… pool table not included!

[Obscura Digital via Networked Blogs]