Aug 10 2009 Holodeck Coming Soon: Touchable Hologram
That's right folks, a fully functional Holodeck may be just around the corner. Using a combination of hologram and ultrasound technologies, a group of Japanese scientists have created a touchable, feelable 3-D image. Imagine the possibilities! I'm looking at you, Princess Leia.
Using ultrasonic waves to provide the resistance and tactile presence, the hologram simulates the sensation of rain drops or a small ball, all without interfering with the projected 3-D image. A couple of Wiimotes provide the tracking, and the programing provides the fun.
That's actually pretty freaking awesome. And I, for one, can't wait to see the long term, practical applications of this new technology (read: porn and video games).
Tokyo Scientists Create Touchable Hologram [popsci]
Thanks to Mih0, Will, eazie, Pete, Brocknoviatch and Daryl, who all prefer real life touching. Good, now rub my back.
Mar 1 2009 What An R2-D2 Boombox Might Look Like
This is artist Bill McMullen's concept of what an R2-D2 boombox might look like if George Lucas had actually marketed some cool Star Wars merchandise instead of all the crap I still bought anyways. Unfortunately, this R2-Boom2 doesn't actually work, making it infinitely less useful for breakdancing. That sucker needs to pump some fresh beats! And also, project a holographic Leia that strips to the music. Best idea ever, or best idea ever -- you be the judge.
R2D2 Boombox, Now That's Art [uberreview]
Aug 25 2008 Cool, Neato!: iHologram iPhone Application
iHologram for the iPhone is an application made by David O'Reilly that creates the illusion of a 3-D cat walking around in your phone.
iHologram combines anamorphosis and the iPhone's gyroscopes to achieve this awesome visual magic trick. Anamorphosis is a way to draw things distorted so, while watched at a certain angle, they pop out of the 2D surface as if they were real.
You have to watch the screen at 35 to 45 degrees at all times in order for the effect to work. And, also, keep the phone charged. It won't work with a dead battery. Or hooker. Speaking of which, can I borrow somebody's car for the afternoon?
3D App Turns iPhone into Window to Alternative World [gizmodo]
Aug 5 2008 Eh: Multi-Touch 3D Hologram Display Is Here
This is a video of Obscura Digital demonstrating their multi-touch software with Musion's Eyeliner 3D holographic projector. It's pretty neat. But you know what? I'm getting sick and tired of all these multi-touch demos where it seems the extent of what you can so is shuffle through photos and resize them. BORING. Show me somebody building a LEGO castle or something. Anything -- anything besides "look, you can toss Polaroids around in space!" I mean I can do that in real life, and it would still suck. I want to see some VR applications. I need an escape damnit, and the drugs aren't working.
Obscura Digital projects multi-touch "hologram", blows all sorts of minds [engadget]
Thanks to Julian, who's anxiously awaiting holographic skin flicks.
Jul 1 2008 T3 Mobile Defender Rocks A Powerful Air Gun
Lamperd Less Lethal's T3 Mobile Defender wasn't inspired by T3:Rise of The Machines, but it does look like the bastard lovechild of a Segway and the Big Wheels I had growing up. But with one worthwhile difference -- a powerful air gun and holographic sight system. The aiming system was designed to ensure body shots only, as a headshot could, well, kill you. Lamperd plans to sell the goofy looking things to the Army at first, but law enforcement organizations will have them available soon after.
"An eyepiece shows a red target dot, and then transmits an image of the target to a monitor, which relays the information to the gun." According to creator Barry Lamperd, if the holographic sight is on target, you can't miss.
Can't miss, huh? That's a pretty bold statement. Because I've had my member resting on the urinal cake before and still missed. Just saying, the dude next to me got pissed.
Hit the jump for a couple more pictures, you know, if cops riding little standup trikes is your scene.
Continue Reading " T3 Mobile Defender Rocks A Powerful Air Gun "
Apr 28 2008 Sure, Why Not?: See-Through Monitor Display
Remember the Holographic Vaio Zoom laptop concept from awhile back? Pretty titillating wasn't it? I wanted one. Did you want one? If you did maybe we could start a club. You know, something with a secret handshake. My dad said we could even use the storage shed out back as a clubhouse. So whattaya say? Fine, but you're missing out. My mom always makes snacks for me when I'm done playing in the yard. Oftentimes accompanied by, oh I don't know, a piping-cold glass of chocolate milk!
So this is a video of what a transparent laptop display would look like. IT IS NOT REAL, it's just been rendered with a little green-screen magic so you could imagine the possibilities. Which, I've got to admit, seem pretty unexciting. "Holy staplers, that's my desk! I can see my desk through the monitor!" That said, it's cool and I'd buy one if it was the same price as a regular monitor. It would be good for taking notes in class while still managing to sneak a peek at the girl that sits in front of you. The one you've had a crush on the whole semester. You know, the one you finally managed to muster up enough courage to ask out on a date, but mid-conversation you very audibly tooted because you were so nervous and she ran away to her friends laughing? *sniffle* Yeah, that one.
Transparent Display Concept Proves There's a Use For Anything [gizmodo]
Apr 22 2008 Interactive Hologram Chick Looks Kind of Like Natalie Portman, Should Be Princess Leia
We've seen promising holographic technologies here at Geekologie before, but nothing with the sexy interactive potential of this thing. The people at LM3Labs have created a hologram technology that can be controlled by hand, arm and (presumably) penis gestures. The system is called AirStrike, which conjures up images of a massive bombing run and not doing it with Princess Leia while a trashcan robot watches like I hoped. So I'm going to have to suggest they change the name to something a little more catchy. You know, something that gives potential customers a better idea of how the technology can be utilized. I'm thinking My Virtual Prostitute or maybe just Holowhore.
LM3Labs' Airstrike interactive holograms, because they can [engadget]
Thanks to Ryan, who doesn't need a holographic girlfriend because he can have as many of the real thing as he wants, for the tip
Feb 1 2008 Holographic Water Monster Promotes Movie
Sony recently installed this holographic water display in Tokyo to hype the upcoming film Water Horse: Legend of the Deep aka Puff The Magic Water Dragon II. I think it's about a boy who has no friends except the Loch Ness monster. Great premise. I bet the dragon's secret gets out and then the authorities come and trap him and then the boy has to save him. End of story. You should thank me, I just saved you $8. $16 if you were taking a date. $40 if she's anything like my girlfriend and would want a Coke, popcorn, candy, nachos and two hotdogs.
Sony's stunning water and laser hologram [core77]
Thanks as always to Ben Hur, who has a dragon of his own, for the tip
Sep 20 2007 Holographic Vaio Zoom Notebook Concept
The Vaio Zoom notebook concept was created by designer Eno Setiawan. The idea is that the notebook is entirely holographic. When off, the screen is clear glass and the keyboard is an expansive of beautiful black shine. When you turn it on the keyboard, screen, and mouse buttons are displayed as holograms. I think the thing looks beautiful as hell, but damnit, it's a concept. Just like the majority of other concepts, it doesn't work in the real world. It's like the concept for the woman I want. She's a supermodel, great cook, nymphomaniac, doesn't nag, can rest a beer on her head, has no teeth, and loves watching sports. See, she's a concept -- she doesn't exist in reality. That's why I live in my grandmother's attic with a bunch of cats. I've given up.
One more picture on the flipside.
Aug 27 2007 360 Degree Light Field Display
Shown at SIGGRAPH 2007, the Interactive 360 Degree Light Field Display won the Best Emerging Technology Award. Designed by USC's Institute for Creative Technologies, the system is capable of producing interactive 3D graphics to multiple viewers in 360 degrees.
The display consists of a high-speed video projector, a spinning mirror covered by a holographic diffuser, and FPGA circuitry to decode specially rendered DVI video signals. The display uses a standard programmable graphics card to render over 5,000 images per second of interactive 3D graphics, projecting 360-degree views with 1.25 degree separation up to 20 updates per second.
Now I'm not totally sure what all of that means, because I'm an astronaut and not familiar with light field displays, but I think what they're saying is that the next time R2-D2 projects Princess Leia in 3D it's going to be in my bedroom and she's going to be naked.
A video after the jump.
