Holograms that you can touch and feel

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have figured out to make holograms touchable. Not only can you “move” the holographic images on-screen by moving your hands, but you can also feel pressure sensations on the skin when you push or squeeze it. The project is on display at Siggraph 2009.

[Touchable Holography via Pink Tentacle]

1. [salsaman]

   I checked out this demo on Monday, in the Emerging Technologies area. It’s a *very* crude effect, both in terms of the perceived 3D hologram position and the “touch” effect. The 3D position appeared much further into the box than it was intended to, and the whole system only worked at the eye level of a ~5’6″ (168cm) viewer– very difficult to crouch down and look straight into the box. Not much promise here, but a neat idea for sure.

   btw SIGGRAPH is an all caps kind of thing. More info on the conference:
   http://www.siggraph.org/s2009/

2. [dculberson]

   We all know where this is headed.

3. [Colin]

   The Wiimotes are popular for this kind of thing,aren’t they? Makes sense – infrared camera which has positioning drivers already written.

   That ultrasonic array is a neat piece of kit.

4. [Anonymous]

   The holodeck is for porn.

5. [overunger]

   Oh and I was all excited too. Concave mirror!? YAAAWWNN! That’s NOT holography, that’s visual trickery from old magician stage craft. The air “touch” idea is cool though. Are we ever going to get REAL 3D floating, SOLID color projection – with ONLY light? sigh……..