The Future of HDTV: 3D Holograms You Can Reach Out and Touch?
By Rachel Cericola
Ready to reach out and touch someone famous? Perhaps scientists at the University of Tokyo had Heidi Klum in mind when developing their new holographic projector.
Yes -- must-see 3D may soon have a "touchable" component as well. Unfortunately, the new projector doesn't actually allow you to grope some of your favorite TV stars -- at least not yet. However, it does allow for interaction and tactile feedback, which is pretty darn cool.
If that isn't interesting enough, you might want to know that the new projector was cobbled from a holographic display device, two Wiimotes and an ultrasound unit. Sounds like a high-tech MacGyver at work!
"Our objective is adding tactile feedback to the hovering image in 3D free space," says researcher Takayuki Hoshi. He and the rest of the team explain how the whole thing works in notes titled, "
Touchable Holography."
The YouTube video shows a subject interacting with a holographic ball.
Of course, the technology is still in its infancy, which means it's going to be a while before you'll get to play around with the technology. For now, check out
TG Daily, which has a freaky little video demonstrating the technology. It's well worth a look.
