Sydney-based Switch Automation believes it has a solution for those who don’t want a touchscreen to be at the mercy of vandals or the weather, which is especially true of automated apartment complexes that can have several screens exposed to the elements and undesirables.

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The Switch IP Touch can sit behind a sheet of glass, which means it can still be operated even if somebody tags over the unit. It uses projector and magnetic technology so you don’t even have to actually touch the screen to make it work.

This patent-pending technology doesn’t only have practical solutions to automation problems it also gives designers and architects more artistic license when developing projects, claims Switch Automation.

There is only a prototype unit at the moment, but Switch says production of the unit will start soon, and a price has yet to be set.