Touchable 3D holograms have become a reality in a groundbreaking world-first achievement
Scientists achieved a world-first in interactive 3D holographic displays.
Recently, a team of scientists made significant strides in transforming holographic technology by developing the first interactive 3D holographic display. Dr. Elodie Bouzbib and her team at the Public University of Navarra spearheaded this project, demonstrating the potential for users to engage physically with virtual light projections. Unlike traditional methods, which employ swept volumetric displays with rigid oscillating surfaces, this solution uses elastic strips to form the diffusor. This advancement ensures that interactions are not only safe but also tactilely satisfying, circumventing issues where contact with the diffuser could cause injury or breakage.
The new setup allows users to interact with the holograms using familiar gestures such as pinching and rotating, similar to a smartphone's 2D display. The innovation lies in replacing the rigid oscillating surface with elastic strips, addressing the key challenge of integrating haptics with holograms. Dr. Bouzbib's team uses image correction methods to ensure that the holographic imagery retains its visual fidelity during manipulation. This development suggests an exciting avenue for integrating holography into various fields, such as education and museum displays.
Feedback from initial testing was overwhelmingly positive. The study included 18 participants, most of whom preferred using direct touch over the traditional 3D mouse interaction. A key observation noted by participants was the greater accuracy and natural feel provided by direct touch, as opposed to intermediary devices like the 3D mouse. These insights highlight the potential for a paradigm shift in how people can interact with digital content through touch-based interfaces.
Looking ahead, although this technology is in the early stages, it shows immense promise for diverse applications. Dr. Bouzbib's team published their findings in a paper titled 'FlexiVol: a Volumetric Display with an Elastic Diffuser to Enable Reach-Through Interaction,' available on the HAL scientific archive. The exposition of their research findings is set to occur at the upcoming CHI 2025 Conference in Japan, a testament to the importance and innovative nature of the work.
Further development could lead to notable breakthroughs in educational environments, where students could interact with educational materials in an engaging and informative manner. Similarly, museums could leverage this technology to offer more immersive experiences for their patrons, creating dynamic and interactive exhibitions.
Sources: TechSpot, New Atlas