We must admit that holograms were the perfect technological advancement when we imagined the future, especially back in the 80s when we were introduced to this idea during our beloved sci-fi era. With time, we eventually forgot about reflecting on holograms and the countless possibilities their existence could bring about on our way of life. Thanks to developments in laser technology and the occurrence of the metaverse in our collective mind, we now believe it is time to open up the conversation of holograms once again, in a more realistic way this time. Welcome to this week’s editor’s choice, where we will discuss the possible effects of this technology on our culture.
Source: The Conversation
Experiencing life like never before has been a critical goal of scientific and technological lifestyle innovations. This aim is pretty much the same with holograms. However, the difference that separates holograms from digitalisation trends is that instead of computerising moments and environments, holograms aim to bring the digital to the 3D world for our senses to experience. (Almost) Forming a meso-verse, a middle ground between digital and material, holograms can actually enhance how we experience the – so called – real world.
With the help of laser technology and the improvements in artificial intelligence, we identify multiple endeavours that can contribute to the future of hologram technology. There are two common ways to create a hologram in current technology: via laser-visual interaction or augmented reality devices.
Laser-Visual Interaction
Source: NPR
Who wasn’t surprised when we saw the Tupac hologram in Coachella back in 2012? It made us realize the limitless possibilities of this technology. The concept is groundbreaking; however, its technology is a reinterpretation of the 200-year-old classic technique, Pepper’s Ghost. It is not truly 3D, but a 2D image that has been projected in a specific way to create a visual illusion.
By acknowledging the strong innovation behind it, we must state that this is already a business, now developed by numerous startups. This trend is growing stronger within the entertainment industry, and we are beyond excited to see how far it will go.
Augmented Reality
Source: Raconteur
Does walking help your thinking process? Or, do you like active engagement in the workplace, but you can’t travel often? The solution is right in front of your eyes with augmented reality devices, quite literally.
These devices would create a uniquely personal experience. The premise sounds like virtual reality, but the difference that separates augmented reality and holograms is that it uses the real-world setting instead of creating virtual surroundings. Simply put, it makes you feel like you are in your own universe, where you are in charge. Almost like an omnipotent protagonist, you can engage with the environment, alter the visuals and experience the unexplored.
Microsoft has experimented with this idea and created HoloLens. This technology can bring a breath of fresh air into the home-office experience, thus uniting us more all across the globe. Imagine a shared google sheet, but instead of communicating via words, you will be communicating directly with your colleagues’ hologram.
There are some incidents and attempts to weaponise the hologram goggles, as mankind tends to do. One of the first companies that succeeded in developing this technology, Microsoft, has been criticised by developers for issuing contracts with the military and providing HoloLens for warfare purposes. Technology’s advance of war efforts has been proven highly devastating multiple times throughout history, yet violence tries to prevail at every opportunity it finds. What we can do, is focus on coming together as one, especially now with the developments in the decentralized, free metaverse.
Source: Stambol
Maybe we can even holographize our NFTs, or more conventional artwork. That could revolutionize the museum experiences. In fact, holograms have been used in a seven-year exposition called Holography: The Light Fantastic in MIT Museum. Those holograms were using laser-visual interaction and pioneer in this matter. Thanks to AI technology today, museums also include augmented reality in the experience. This idea can be further developed, and we might see 100% augmented reality museums in the future. We promise not to touch the artwork.
This technology also looks promising for the festival experience. We already see the use of visual lightning illusions to create holographic experiences. Going one step further, we believe that in the future, we won’t need to travel to other countries to live and -figuratively- breathe in the vibrant atmosphere of music festivals. We would holographically be on the field to engage with the music and people. It is also possible to participate in a cultural festival with a complete holographic experience. We previously discussed the possibilities of digital music streaming and its interaction with metaverse, but augmented reality can take this idea to the next level.
We should also mention that currently, experiencing augmented reality is possible even without any additional equipment. HoloLamp pushed research limits and created a hand-free, glasses-free augmented reality device. Currently, it’s primarily seen in restaurant menus and architectural design processes’, but we can already imagine HoloLamp delivering the message of Princess Leia to Obi-Wan Kenobi.
What’s next? Holo-teleconferences? Bringing metaverse to our three-dimensional world in hologram form? With augmented reality, the sky is the only limit we know. It even may not be the limit! Only the time would tell. Until then, we salute you with our realistic hologram. See you in the future.
