Researchers develop a 360-degree holographic display

Researchers at USC have taken another step towards that holiest of sci-fi dreams: the 3D holographic display. Using a spinning mirror covered with a "holographic diffuser," a special DVI implementation, and a high-speed projector, the team's device can project a three-dimensional image that can be viewed from 360 degrees -- regardless of the viewer's height and distance. That's impressive, but that spinning mirror looks pretty dangerous. Check a video of the system in action after the break.

[Via Core77]

[Jose El Maton @ Aug 31st 2007 5:14AM]

Oh my god, that is nothing short of amazing.

[Nick @ Aug 31st 2007 9:45AM]

I agree this is awesome... one step closer to Star Wars... busting out the Tie Fighter diagram was brilliant.

Almost 3 years ago I read an article about a system much= like this... but that system had a built-in humidifier and used the moister vapors to project onto.. does this system use vapors or anything as its canvas?

[Nick @ Aug 31st 2007 9:52AM]

i appologize i read the abstract that was linked but didnt watch the movie before posting...definately cool.. but in terms of practicality for large holographs the projection using vapors is much better than this, but my no means am i putting this thing down.

[711 @ Aug 31st 2007 12:26PM]

Definitely. Looking at the running man "hologram", I'm strongly reminded of the zoetrope.

[Grey Acumen @ Aug 31st 2007 7:00PM]

I do see one issue with this. You'll never be able to have a live person show up on the thing, cause in order to get the frames, you'd need to have a camera spinning around them just as fast. You might be able to use multiple cameras spinning in a big ring around the stage, but you'd practically be creating a tornado in the place.
I know they had the guy running at the end, but I'm not completely convinced it wasn't CGI or something that used some thousands of takes of this guy running from various angles.

This is awesome for computer generated stuff though.

Wait, there are more issues:
Getting a larger picture would require a larger spinning mirror, again with the whole tornado issues. The moving parts means that it is far more likely to break down, especially at the speeds it's spinning at.

Hmm... I also don't see this working for films, because you won't be able to control the camera angles and stuff, which is a very basic part of controlling the mood and focus of a movie. Stage performances are 3d, but the audience still only sits on one side.

I really love how it looks, but the practical applications are still limited. The moving parts are my biggest worry.

[avizion @ Sep 3rd 2007 12:38PM]

Well - you could just use X amount of cameras to capture a person live and in 3D. With todays CPU power a lot less cameras would be needed since it's possible to calculate a LOT from just to cameras positioned right. So - maybe 4-8 cameras are needed at the bottom, and the same at top.

Also - making the picture bigger has at least 2 things to it. To get X + Y bigger you could just add more mirrors and link these - but getting the Z axis "taller" might be more difficult seeing the picture never goes out of the mirror boundaries :)

[jayden @ Sep 3rd 2007 5:43PM]

yes i know esactly what you mean nick i belive it was called fog screen it used multipul projectors so people could actualy walk through it. i think it was also going to be used in japanese advertisement and sadly it had to be pre-recorded on this demo using hand movements the guy interacts with the image which is pretty cool so im not putting the technology but that fact its a spinning mirror and has to be kept in a glass case is quite sad.

J.W. sorry for errors

[Peter @ Aug 31st 2007 5:18AM]

This is impressive. I'd like to see it in public/commercial places in the future. Could be used for advertising and who know what the heck else you can come up with... especially with the interactivity.

[Michael C @ Aug 31st 2007 5:26AM]

The holiest sci-fi dream is teleportation!

I wonder what the noise level on this thing is, spinning at that speed...

Very nice effect though!

[Jagannath A @ Aug 31st 2007 5:27AM]

Now this is the real WOW.... IMPRESSIVE stuff

'that spinning mirror looks pretty dangerous'
i guess thats why they have housed the whole setup in a glass cage

[Canon Shooter @ Aug 31st 2007 5:39AM]

Why the hell is this AMAZING? If you want amazing holgraphic optical illusions, go visit Disney World, FL!

If you can pull it off taking away the SPINNING GLASS, then this would be AMAZING. Otherwise, another WASTE of time and resources. Spinning GLASS is not the way to go - invest more of your time and money into thinking "matrix" - "plug in your brain"

[Simon @ Aug 31st 2007 7:04AM]

You sound like a politician choosing an energy policy. No thanks, the market works better.

[e-pro @ Sep 1st 2007 4:52AM]

wow...... can't you see that this is amazing

its a full 3D moving image that can be viewed from any direction
its a feat of engineering and programming
it is stunning

sci fi fans have waited for something like this for years and its actually here

it shows that this idea can work
and thats pretty amazing

[Pedja @ Aug 31st 2007 5:39AM]

Simply AWESOME. Don't get me wrong it IS impressive. But, should it be considered a hologram? I mean, try moving your hand through that thing and you'll see what I mean :)

[JPOnion @ Aug 31st 2007 6:00PM]

Your right, cause normal holographic images we can definitely put our hands through... ;)

In all fairness, this does bring up a good point. You know how people sometimes reach out to "touch" images at a 3D movie? Well...you know some people would be dumb enough to ignore the warnings with this one. "Oooh, pretty, it's like it's real, let me touch iiiIIIAAAAIIII MY HANDS!!!"

[GTMoogle @ Aug 31st 2007 9:52PM]

Ahah! But you see, it really IS a hologram, because from every angle you are being fed a single determined image.

It's using a holographic film so they can essentially choose how light radiates in every direction. This actually an enormous amount of data more than what you'd need to have vectors drawn in space by projecting onto a spinning translucent film.

Proof: Go back and look at the spinning head. Notice that you can not see the lines that constitute the back of the head when you're looking at the front! If it were just drawing points of light in space, the front wouldn't be opaque! No, instead, every point in the space has to be determined not just what brightness to be, but in what directions in a full sphere around it to radiate light in!!!! Pay attention that this works with photographs, without building a 3d model. Even video! You need a frame from every angle of resolution multiplied by the number of frames.

This is completely nucking futz.

If you are not blown away, you do not comprehend the difficult of what they have achieved.

[Pedja @ Sep 1st 2007 3:19AM]

I believe I said that it IS AWESOME! And I AM blown away! I just thought of holograms as being hollow which is probably due to the popular Hollywood representation of holograms and also "holo" does sound like hollow :).
However, a 5 second research shows that "holo" is in fact a greek word for "whole" and thus this actually IS a hologram! (more details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hologram)

[karts41 @ Aug 31st 2007 5:41AM]

OMG

Santas gona have problems this year.

[ADMINVOID @ Aug 31st 2007 5:44AM]

OMG, i so badly want one of those, thats is awsome!!! XD

[Tom @ Aug 31st 2007 6:08AM]

Shouldn't the test image have been the specs for the death star, or maybe an image of a 2' Princess Leia?

[Pedja @ Sep 1st 2007 3:22AM]

So right! Are you in marketing :)))
Death Star for the model and "Help me Obi-Wan" for the video :)

[Giu @ Aug 31st 2007 6:13AM]

Definitely dangerous. I mean, how are we supposed to get 3d holographic interactive porn with the spinning mirror and that big cage around it?

;)

[Erik @ Aug 31st 2007 6:31AM]

I want a touchscreen version :D *chop there goes my finger*

[maximus @ Aug 31st 2007 6:33AM]

That was pretty amazing, especially the interactivity of it. However I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't really a holographic projected image since it was on a big spinning mirror. Still great obviously but not quite there yet.

[-Tj- @ Aug 31st 2007 6:33AM]

One step closer to a true 3D version of the original vector Star Wars arcade game.

[JC @ Aug 31st 2007 6:36AM]

Just ONE TIE fighter? Come on, I want to see the whole battle plan with the X-Wings flying into the Death Star!

[Joseph @ Aug 31st 2007 7:20AM]

General Kenobi: Years ago, you served my father in the Clone Wars; now he begs you to help him in his struggle against the Empire. I regret that I am unable to present my father's request to you in person; but my ship has fallen under attack and I'm afraid my mission to Alderaan has failed. I've placed information vital to the survival of the rebellion into the memory systems of this R2 unit. My father will know how to retrieve it. You must see this droid safely delivered to him on Alderaan. This is our most desperate hour. Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi; you're my only hope.

[TT @ Aug 31st 2007 12:11PM]

That's just what I was thinking when I saw this. It even has the washed out white image just like Leia's holo in the movie from R2. Amazing!! (now we just need Carrie Fisher to refilm the scene. :-D)

[strider_mt2k @ Aug 31st 2007 8:01AM]

That's impossible, even for a computer!

[Nando @ Aug 31st 2007 8:21AM]

Nothing's impossible if you can imagine it! - Professor Farnsworth

[Raptor007 @ Aug 31st 2007 2:08PM]

It's not impossible, I used to bullseye wamprats in my T-16 back home; they're not much bigger than 2 meters.

[Jim @ Aug 31st 2007 8:14AM]

So, am I the only one thinking, "Here comes the holographic porn!"

[Przd @ Aug 31st 2007 8:17AM]

How about

http://www.actuality-systems.com/site/content/gallery.html

Seems like it's already been done, and well-patented too.

[Hal @ Aug 31st 2007 8:21AM]

It’s only a matter of time before Apple (or even MS) gets hold of this, re-brand it "multi-view" and let the world will think they invented it.

Nobody gives credit to inventors anymore.

[Admiral Ackbar @ Aug 31st 2007 8:24AM]

It's a Trap!!

[Andy @ Aug 31st 2007 8:57AM]

WOW! Admiral Ackbar!

[BeyondtheTech @ Aug 31st 2007 8:54AM]

And it doubles as a blender! How much would YOU pay for this? It's only three payments of $14,999! Hurry, because if you act now...

[Nik @ Aug 31st 2007 9:14AM]

First post.... DAMN that thing is cool

[clondike7 @ Aug 31st 2007 9:21AM]

they had this in SIGGRAPH this year. They had a TIE fighter and a cuber to demo it. It was pretty cool, they also rotated around. There was a lot of cool stuff at SIGRAPPH :P

[Brian @ Sep 1st 2007 8:28AM]

Im pretty sure it said on the clip that it was a mirror spinning at 20fps, i believe at one of the pirates of the caribean attractions in a disney theme park there is a 3d holographic projector made from mist of davy jones, i once saw a video someone made riding it on youtube, i was impressed.

[Chris @ Aug 31st 2007 9:53AM]

This is just the beginning...think phased array radar. It used to be that the sensors had to move to scan area (spinning mirror). Now the sensors are static and spread across a 360 degree plane, then charged.

The researchers have done a great job of promoting the concept...now start phasing the image onto a stationary cone.

Add in some proximity sensors and you have a 3D touchable display that won't claim lives.

[Luke @ Aug 31st 2007 9:53AM]

Very cool. But... will it blend?

[R. C. @ Sep 2nd 2007 2:14PM]

Yes. It will blend anything that gets inside the cage, because it's a mirior spinning incredibly fast.

[Epsilon D. @ Aug 31st 2007 10:23AM]

Mm... incredible, indeed. But what does that little wooden doll have to do with four-dimensional light fields? I was like, 'ooooh', then 'what?!' Really confusing. o.O

[SuperDave @ Aug 31st 2007 2:07PM]

OMG, 4D?

CONFIRMED - THE PS3 WILL DISPLAY HOLOGRAMS.

Remember, you heard it here first.

[JuggleNuts @ Aug 31st 2007 10:34AM]

Has anyone figured out how to record in 3D though .... ? I mean, this is great for the CAD world ... but when's my 3D porno going to arrive?

[Ben @ Sep 17th 2007 7:01PM]

The images displayed do not have to be recorded in 3-D and so no "tornado" of video cameras would be necessary. Four stationary cameras, each capturing one side, and perhaps another camera for the top, should be sufficient. Computer design programs could then take these images, and combine them into w/e form is needed to display on this holographic system.

[John @ Aug 31st 2007 10:58AM]

But does it play 3D doom?

[check @ Aug 31st 2007 11:30AM]

http://www.ministryoftech.com/2006/08/25/real-3d-images-using-laser-plasma/

this looks more promising, no need for water vapor, but no color either

[Adam @ Aug 31st 2007 12:09PM]

The key here is that this technology can't go very far without an easy way to render content. In order to feed a live football game into a 3D display, I'm going to have to shoot with 2D for Color and some type of LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) at high resolution and at a rapid refresh rate to make Sunday in 3D possible without actually going to the game. This much data is going to need to travel on fiber, which FTTP (Fiber To The Premisis i.e. Verizon FIOS) is still in its infancy. Best bet, iTunes in 3D. I'd say we're still 15 to 20 years out on this even with the exponential increase in technological development.