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Is This the Holodeck?
WillCodeForRaisins writes "CNET News is reporting that Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is planning to create "virtual reality" High-Definition 3-D TV which will allow you to smell and even touch objects in the 3-D space. This national research project is meant to be part of a larger vision under which Japan aims to promote "universal communication," a concept whereby information is shared smoothly and intelligently regardless of location or language. Imagine watching a football game on a TV that not only shows the players in three dimensions but also lets you experience the smells of the stadium and maybe even pat a goal scorer on the back. How are they planning to do this? Ummm... looks like wait and see."
I'm guessing the technology to pull this off is more Virtual than Reality. Maybe before I die (I'm only 24) we may see this, but I'm about as hopeful as I am for the success of Cold Fusio.
-kaplanfx
Visualize Whirled Peas
Well, Japan is known for these sorts of long-range projects.
They figure even if it ultimately gets nowhere near the desired goal, the spin offs will be profitable and useful.
Remember the Fifth Generation Computer Project? They got absolutely nowhere near what they wanted with that - but it did boost their IT industry.
Richard Steven Hack - This sig is TOO GODDAMN SHORT TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL WITH! MORONS!
On the other hand, this is not your Father's (or at least younger uncle's ) Japan. Japanese research, as based upon checking the names in the journals I read, has been becoming more innovative and forward thinking in the last 15 years. They've also shown no fear towards hiring American researchers who have been 'right-sized' by short-sighted native corporations (NEC picked up a lot of researchers from various NJ chemical and materials firms). As RAH once put it, "there is intelligent life in Tokyo."
This probably won't produce a holodeck, but given CAVE technology (works), haptics (works), and some of the newer innovations such as microvoltage stimulation for motion effects, you may actually get something this time, even if it won't be the Trek 23rd century version.
I personally look forward to virtual clothes shopping, at least for other people whom I generally have to follow around and critique during the process.
the more accurate the calculations became, the more the concepts tended to vanish into thin air. R. S. Mulliken
This brings a whole new 'angle' on the pay per view concept.
Imagine this (seriously - think about it (it may make you rich)): The amount you pay would get you a better veiw of the action. X amount puts you at the 300 foot level. Y gets you on the 50 yard line, Z puts you on the field.
Football (despite its popularity) isn't the best choice for this. I think motion sickness for all the camera changes would be a bit much.
However, auto racing is a good choice. It already enjoys multi camera (car) angle (one per channel) access on cable providers. Now you could really be in the car with the driver.
Golf is another logical possibility. Stand there at the tee. See the swing and watch the ball go.
Umm.. Swimming, or diving shows may prove a bit of a hard sell. Think of it this way: Ever watch a show with an under water segment (Posiden adventure?) - did you hold your breath, or become very concious of your own breathing while the poor actor seeming had to swim much too far?
Pron: Yeah what ever. Probably the first market segment to leverage the technology, but probably not to its true abilities. But there will be a lot of sales.
Which brings us to the next question: What do you think the band width requirement is going to be. Will your puny little HD-DVD (or BluRay) be enough to drive that kind of display?
Yes but add a latex rubber vibrating pouch around your member and then it's just like standing next to real farty whores.
Liberals call everyone Nazis yet they are the closest thing to it.