Breakthrough: You can feel this holographic projection by touch

In the 1960s and ’70s, people were overwhelmed with holographic images from the future in both Star Trek and Star Wars, hoping that this technology would one day be real. Researchers at the University of Sussex have just made that dream come true and take it to a whole new level: they create a 3-dimensional projection that can interact with real people, you can put your hand in and feel Receive images by touch.

During the performance, people with the opportunity to experience new technology saw a virtual butterfly wing flapping in the air, a timer with floating numbers, a colorful Earth rotating in space. But in addition to those moving images, scientists want to turn data 0 and 1 into something else – they want to shape and even, make people feel the data.

The existing image may be similar to what comes from the projector, but this new machine is not that simple. Instead of the 3D image projection technology you still see is a 3-dimensional ultrasonic field machine, capable of holding a polystyrene particle in the air, throwing this small plastic at high speed to shape images. stuff shown.

Plastic particles with a width of only 2mm move at a speed of 30 km / h, showing the shape of the object in just 1/10 seconds. At that velocity, the human brain does not see particles moving through the air but only complete images. LED lighting system adds color to the plastic beads to create the desired look.

Because this is a 3D image, so from any angle, you can see the image. By carefully adjusting the ultrasonic field, the team of researchers was able to make 3D images sound – it chatted with the viewer, creating a sound that corresponded to the image being displayed, even is playing music. And with the ultrasonic field control method, the team can also allow the object displayed in the device to interact with the viewer, and can give the viewer the feeling it is holding the object in the palm of the hand. .

Sriram Subramanian, a researcher with the team, said that in addition to digital imaging, the system also opened up a new dimension of entertainment. “ For example, you want to create a Harry Potter-like experience, for example. You can wave your hand to make magic or move your hand, you can see and feel a bright spot forming on your hand, we can even make it sound like a muscle , ”Subramanian said.

According to Ryuji Hirayama, another researcher: “ I believe that in the future, this same system will allow you to interact with family or friends just as if they were right here with you. be able to see, touch and hear them ”.

The test system uses only a single plastic bead for forming, and creates an image that fits neatly in a space of about 10 cm across. But technology does not stop there, more advanced machines will create larger images, using more than one polystyrene. Subramanian says it is possible to use computer software to make sure the bumps do not collide when forming in the air.

Researcher Euan Freeman from the University of Glasgow says that the technology shows how far future visibility in images can be. ” With the newly demonstrated technology, you can hold out your hand and feel the image being displayed ,” Freeman said.

Julie Williamson, also at the University of Glasgow, agrees that this is the first step to an interactive 3D display: “ I envision a future where 3D display technology can create. experiences like real things . ”

Refer to Guardian