Holograms are a fascinating new technology - in science fiction movies, we often see holograms walking around, popping up from desks or emerging out of monitors, or being used when people talk to each other via video conversation.
In real life, Hologram technology hasn't progressed quite that far yet - but an Australian startup has just taken a big step forward.
Take a look at the first truly interactive, multi-user hologram table!
What's the problem with regular Holographic Technology?
Holograms are not totally new, but there are several technical difficulties that are quite the challenge for the developers.
The main problem is that holograms are a nothing more than stereo images generated by a computer, and if multiple people look at it from different perspective, the illusion breaks.
That's why current holograms can only be viewed by 1 person with a large helmet.
Computer-generated holograms tracking the viewer's gaze inside the helmet, which is why the technology wouldn't be possible with multiple people because the computer wouldn't know who to track.
For Virtual Reality, this problem has been solved by giving each user an individual helmet, so that multiple users can al see the same things in virtual reality space. But the problem is that these VR or AR helmets are very big and bulky, and you can't really interact with other people in real life anymore.
The Solution
Euclideon Holographics has come up with a Hologram table that generates truly interactive, multi-user holograms.
The users wear glasses that look similar to 3D glasses, and which are very light and compact compared to other virtual reality helmets.
Several different users can then look at the holograms on the table at once thanks to the built-in Unlimited Detail (UD) 3D graphics processing engine.
The Hologram table tracks the user's eye positions, and builds a custom stereo hologram image for him - and up to 7 other users.
The glasses are equipped with a special layer of crystal film, which can change the frequency of light waves. So the computer can tell which light wave belongs to which user, and is therefore able to generate images from different angles for different users. At the temples, the glasses have some built-in microcomputers and microchips which allow the Hologram table to track their position.
The table itself is a screen that consists of a projector which is sitting underneath a unique film, wedged between two pieces of glass.
Use cases for Hologram tables
The Hologram table can be beneficial for almost any type of business sector, but especially for anything that has to do with planning and management.
Architecture
Architects could use Holograms to create 3D models to understand complex structures or building concepts of the house. Also, they could use it to showcase different models of their work, and have the client easily understand his vision since there is actually something to look at and it's not just all imagination.
Large Asset Management
Industries that deal with assets on a large scale, for example power lines, railroads etc, could use these large 3D models to plan their work and explain their concepts to employees or customers.
Military & Response Planning
Holographic models can be used for any type of planning. The objects can be moved around in real-time and you can even create your own holographic presentations, which makes it a great tool for management and planning a course of action.
Display and Study of Artifacts / Objects
The Hologram Table could also be used for educational purposes, for example in universities or museums. My creating a holographic model of an artifact, it could be studied without risking damage, and shared globally without having to be transported around the world physically. The same goes for 3D models in biology or other applied sciences.
The Hologram Tables will be ready in 2018.
What do you think about this kind of Holographic Technology? What would be additional use cases for the Hologram Table?
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