by Mark
Ollig
Could we be soon using another futuristic
“Star Trek” technology?
It could
also be a “Star Wars” movie technology, because what I saw looked a lot like
the film’s scene when a holographic Princess Leia pleaded for help from Obi-Wan
Kenobi.
Technology
used to conduct video phone calls is being radically re-designed from the
current two-dimensional on-screen methods (such as Skype or FaceTime), to a version
which will noticeably change how we interact with others.
Think of
seeing moving images displayed floating in the air – not on a screen.
One company,
Leia Display System, based in Warsaw, Poland, is showing off its “midair
hologram system” technology.
I contacted
Leia via Twitter and asked them: “Do you foresee this technology being used to
conduct live, holographic video calls?
They
responded back with: “You can easily make Skype calls using Leia. We’re
planning to make a device even more suitable for that.”
Wow, their
reply about being able to incorporate Skype with Leia surprised me a bit.
I realize,
since it is now 2014, we will be hearing more of these high-tech surprises.
One online
Leia video demonstration showed how their smaller-sized, standard display
system (25.6 by 25.6 inches), could present moving, high-definition holographic
images in the air.
The Leia
display system uses a controller and a midair projection screen to display
people and objects (in color) as moving, three-dimensional (3D) holographic
images.
Their
patented method of “laminar airflow” causes moving images to be seen hovering
in the air using streams of scarcely visible fog. The holographic images can be
touched, or even interacted with.
This fog
contains miniscule water vapors, and serves as the screen or display medium, on
which the holographic images are seen by our eyes.
You can
watch a Leia smaller display system demo video here:
http://tinyurl.com/bytes-Leia2.
The larger
Leia display system (XL) projects holographic images in sizes of approximately
6 by 3-feet.
The demo
video for the XL model showed moving holographic images of people during a
fashion show presentation.
The floating
holographic objects in the air were easily re-sized, and quickly “reassembled”
whenever the Leia presenters passed their hands through them or made physical
contact.
Leia’s
website explains: “You can put your hand through it [holographic objects] or
walk through it and the screen goes back to its previous form immediately. [An]
interactive kit allows translating it into a giant multi-touch screen or other
solution based on people movement.”
I was
impressed by how the moving holographic images remained stable and easily
viewable throughout the interactive demonstrations.
The Leia
display system XL provides interaction with live dancers. This technology was
demonstrated for the first time on Polish television’s “Got Talent 2013.”
Movies are
also viewable using the Leia display system XL.
Here’s a
video link where you can watch a demonstration of the XL system:
http://tinyurl.com/bytes-Leia1.
“Leia is the
next step in the evolution of electronic devices. [Sic] may soon forget about
the mouse and keyboard. Leia makes traditional computer screens and televisions
seem boring and outdated. I think that, over time, [they] will be superseded by
holographic solutions,” said Marcin Panek, co-founder of Leia Display System.
Leia is
currently endorsing its holographic systems for business promotions, movie
premiers, and other types of company solicitations. It is thought holographic
presentations would dazzle and draw the attention of an audience.
The company
stated on Twitter, the water mist (fog) used in the holographic projection
stream includes anti-bacterial chemicals, which alleviates concerns about the
mist containing any contaminates. They are also considering using an
ultra-violet (UV) light sterilizer in the display’s water pumping system.
Daniel
Skutela, Leia’s chief designer and co-owner, talked about how their device can
capture the smallest details of an image. He was confident their solution is
“the closest to true hologram technology.”
The website
for the Leia Display System is: http://www.leiadisplay.com.
Their
Facebook page is: http://tinyurl.com/bytes-LeiaFB, and you can follow them at
their Twitter username: LeiaDisplay.
Of course,
yours truly could not end this holographically-themed column without including
a link to Star Wars’ Princess Leia pleading: “Help me Obi-Wan-Kenobi, you’re my
only hope.”
You can see
all eight seconds of it at: http://tinyurl.com/bytes-Obi.
