Ricoh to debut SynTact intelligent environment prototype at Ars Electronica Festival

Ricoh has announced the presentation of SynTact, an interactive prototype developed in collaboration with Ars Electronica Futurelab. The project will be showcased at the Ars Electronica Festival 2026 in Linz, Austria, from September 9 to 13.

SynTact utilizes proprietary sensing technology and machine learning to explore how intelligent environments can transform human interaction with physical spaces. The technology aims to turn passive surfaces and objects into intelligent interfaces capable of recognizing nuanced touch and responding to human behavior in real time. One central installation features a living plant with robotic tendrils that react to visitor engagement.

The 2026 Ars Electronica Festival will expand beyond its traditional central location, utilizing over 40 sites across Linz organized into three main hubs: the OK-Platz, the JKU-MedUni campus, and the Danube Triangle. The festival will feature various exhibitions, including projects from the Prix Ars Electronica and the S+T+ARTS Prize, focusing on themes such as techno-capitalist progress, geopolitical crises, and climate change.