Dang! The Star Trek holodeck is real!

[rs]

OK, so its not really a hologram in the strict sense of the word, but this completely blew my mind.

IO2 Technology develops technology relating to next-generation interfaces some of which are not currently available, one platform is--the Heliodisplay.

Heliodisplay images are not holographic although they are free-space, employing a rear projection system in which images are captured onto a nearly invisible plane of transformed air. What the viewer sees is floating mid-air image or video. These projected images and video are two-dimensional, (i.e. planar) but appear 3D since there is no physical depth reference. While conventional displays have the benefit of being attached to a physical substrate, Heliodisplay projections are suspended in air, so you will notice some waviness to the quality of the projections.

The Heliodisplay requires a power outlet, and a computer, TV, DVD or alternate video source. The current version of the Heliodisplay projects 30" diagonal images in 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio. The Heliodisplay system is backward compatible and accepts most 2D video sources (PC, TV, DVD, HDTV, Video game consoles). For connection to a computer, the Heliodisplay uses a standard monitor VGA connection; for TV or DVD viewing, it connects using a standard video cable. The Heliodisplay is designed to be concealed (i.e. into furniture) and hidden out of sight thereby creating an unobtrusive display. Examples are shown in which the Heliodisplay has been hidden into a coffee table.

Above: Images under various lighting

Although Heliodisplay images are easily viewed in an office environment, this system is unique, and therefore has to compete with it's surroundings, so contrast becomes paramount for optimal viewing. Having a dark backdrop or background emphasizes the contrast of whites and blacks and is highly encouraged when designing a location to view the display. The same concept holds true for existing physical displays (LCDs, Plasma's etc), but contain a high contrast background when the pixels within image are not illuminated. Also, just like viewing any computer monitor or TV, viewing a Heliodisplay image in direct sunlight is almost impossible. Images can be seen up to 75 degrees off aspect for a total viewing area of over 150 degrees- similar to an LCD screen. Viewing requires no special glasses.

The Heliodisplay interactive is like a virtual touchscreen for simple cursor control. A hand or finger can act as a mouse for cursor control interactivity in a computer environment. No special glove or pointing device is required. Just as you use a mouse to move the cursor on a traditional computer monitor, you can use your finger, hand, pen, pencil, scalpel, scissors etc. to move the cursor around on a computer environment (see: Images & Videos). The Heliodisplay connects to a computer (at least: Pentium III 400MHZ;25MB free disk space;Win2000/XP) through a USB port and standard computer cable.

If we can do this today, imagine what a billion years of technology development could produce???

 

[dant]

Yes, this technology was available some years ago, and started with a
geodesic dome and has since been transferred to water, then into air.
This technology makes clear, a very special point. All physicality IMO,
is exactly that. An illusion. THAT concept really blew my mind :)

 

[Niall]

This was in the news recently

http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/08/japans-real-3d-image-projector/

3d plasma advertising. Trust them to immediately co-opt the technology's primary functional use for advertising, but hey.. Back to the Future technology indeed

 

[tschai]

How about to create the illusion a plane flying into a building? Note the part about "satisfying explosions" in the Japanese plasma display article-what if someone already has this technology in a much more refined form? Could the lasers also be used to do damage to a target at the same time as the image is being seen?

Could this technology be used in such an application?Has it been? We have a tendency to find out if any new technology has potential as a weapon just as often as for entertainment. Just look at the microwave "non lethal" weaponry being developed. Many of these things are discovered by accident while doing research for other purposes or maybe with a little help from "out side sources" wink wink... it could be vectored into a weapon status.

It is really amazing how much electronic stuff is being developed for the sake of "entertainment" and to "fool" the eyes and mind into seeing something that is not-it is not hard to figure out where this will lead-and perhaps already has...people can be made to think, see and hear whatever the PTB wants-holodeck indeed!

One signal from the Central Command Center-and all cell phones in the world ring simultaneously-all TV's and radios in the world begin to transmit the control program...

Hello?....ENGAGE CONTROL PROGRAM...microsecond pulse heard as high pitched squeal TRANSMITTED OVER EVERY CELL PHONE, TELEVISON AND RADIO STATION WORLD WIDE...zoink...millions of perfectly controlled, zombified human bots-ready to do whatever. INITIATE CHAOS PROGRAM- SEEK OUT ANYONE NOT AFFECTED BY THE CONTROL PROGRAM AND DETAIN for pick up and transport to the "processing" center...

How many people automatically answer their phone when it rings-without checking to see who is calling?

Gotcha!

 

[abstract]

dude, IT IS SO AMAZING TO ME that i countinue to realize how little i know about what is out there in this crazy world of ours...it's truly hilarious when you see stuff from star trek or star wars happen in real life because it just shows that there is NO SUCH THING AS IMPOSSIBLE.