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The Future of Holograms

Posted by michael on from the still-sci-fi dept.

D3 writes "A Slate article talks about the failure of holograms to really catch on and the future of using computers to create true holographic video ala Princess Leia. The article covers some history such as the fact that holograms have been around since 1947. Lots of great geek-pop references as well."

6 of 248 comments (clear)

  1. It's not that they haven't caught on yet by Weaselmancer · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's that they aren't really useful yet. Yeah, we do have the technology to simulate a 3d image. You need shutter glasses or a bizarre narrow-field LCD display or some other fairly clumsy way to get at the 3d-ness of the image.

    We do not have the holographic projector R2-D2 used for the famous Leia scene yet.

    And that's why they haven't caught on. They're not convenient enough yet. I guarantee if you can duplicate R2's projector, they will catch on.

    --
    Weaselmancer
    rediculous.
    1. Re:It's not that they haven't caught on yet by bloggins02 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I guarantee if you can duplicate R2's projector, they will catch on.

      The problem is, that's hard to accomplish. I would really love to see the same thing (i.e., a real holographic projector, just like in Sci-fi), but the problem is this: how do you tell the light when to stop?

      If you'll remember, R2's style actually projected the image in mid-air. So in order for a viewer to see that image, it meant that the light from the projector had to be sent to the viewer's eyes. Now a normal stream of photons from a projector would hit the floor, then bounce every which way. But no, what happened with the projector is that the photon stream somehow STOPPED in midair and then started radiating everywhich way so that your eye could see it. Not only that, but the light from the OTHER side of the image (relative to the viewer) somehow didn't interfere with the light on this side (or else you could see, for example, both sides of her face at once).

      Now as soon as you can figure out how to make THAT happen (not counting cheating by using fog or spinning mirrors), then you've got something.

  2. woo by nomadic · · Score: 3, Insightful

    A Slate article talks about the failure of holograms to really catch on and the future of using computers to create true holographic video ala Princess Leia.

    Larger image, higher resolution, and less clothing, and they've got my consumer dollars.

  3. Holograms...they are everywhere by teiresias · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So one day holograms became apart of our daily life.

    Say you leave a hologram away message. You're not just going to stand their and recite your message/joke/song. You're going to have to put in some inflection, some hand movements, and some facial gestures etc. Pretty soon, we'll have hologram blogs with people acting out their favorite movie scenes. Hologram ads will be next. Than hologram porn. Than hologram gaming.

    The future looks bright.

    --
    -Teiresias
  4. Re:HOLOPR0N!!!! by DarkEdgeX · · Score: 2, Insightful

    In all seriousness though, I imagine it will be the porn industry that pioneers this. You can talk all day about it being a scientific aid for engineers or doctors, but the possibilities of holo-porn will probably be one of the initial driving forces.

    Scientists may use any technology they develop to demonstrate it's normal day to day applications, but getting it cheap for the masses will be the porn industries doing.

    Never underestimate the millions of horny men around the world.

    --
    All I know about Bush is I had a good job when Clinton was president.
  5. Re:Holograms by orion024 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Really, it goes beyond games. I can see many instances which even "older people" who aren't interested in games might be interested.

    Imagine books and movies that are played out in 3D before your eyes.

    Imagine that your kids are now married, and have kids of their own. Now imagine they live on the other side of the the country. Wouldn't it be nice to see your kids and grandkids in 3D? You would actually be able to sit in the "same" room together to talk. Or holographic conferencing while at work with your employees 2 states away.

    You say you were studying languages? Imagine practicing your language of choice with a fluent artificial intelligence who is standing right in front of you. Or, heck, from a real person who is transmitted as a 3D holograph into your living room.

    Imagine building your "house" holographically first. You'd be able to see how it would look from the inside and out before the ground was even broken.

    Car manufacturers would be able to holographically build cars and get driver feedback on design issues before they cut a single piece of metal.

    Beyond all the porn jokes and the games, the applications for everyday people are numerous and limited only by your imagination.