Intel boffins have come up with a new idea that can turn any surface into a touchscreen.

According to Wired the good thing about the technology is that it does not matter if you have dirty paws and a cluttered desk as the algorithm and a camera set-up can create “virtual islands”.

The technology was shown off at Intel's annual research-day fest Wednesday to show touchscreens can go beyond computing and become a part of everyday life. The project uses real-time 3-D object recognition to build a model of almost anything that’s placed on the counter and offer a a virtual, touchscreen-based menu.

Perhaps what is cool is that you can shove pasta and a tomato on a counter. The camera will scan it for you and give you a virtual menu that includes recipes for both.