Japan scientists create 3-D images you can touch

Imagine a light switch or a book that appears only when you need it -- Japanese scientists are one step closer to making the stuff of sci-fi films into reality after creating a hologram that can also be felt.

"Up until now, holography has been for the eyes only, and if you'd try to touch it, your hand would go right through," Hiroyuki Shinoda, professor at Tokyo university and one of the developers of the technology, told Reuters.

"But now we have a technology that also adds the sensation of touch to holograms."

Holograms -- three-dimensional images -- are commonly found on credit cards, DVDs and CDs to prevent forgery, and larger scale holograms have been used in entertainment.

By using ultrasonic waves, the scientists have developed software that creates pressure when a user's hand "touches" a hologram that is projected.

In order to track a user's hand, the researchers use control sticks from Nintendo's popular Wii gaming system that are mounted above the hologram display area.

The technology has so far been tested with relatively simple objects, although the researchers have more practical plans, including virtual switches at hospitals, for example, and other places where contamination by touch is an issue.

Shinoda also said the technology could be used to replace other physical objects, making it economical and environmentally friendly.

www.reuters.com...

Technology seems to be evolving at the speed of light sometimes.


This would be amazing, being able to use/interact with a hologram at will.

Virtual switches in hospitals for starters will make it even if just a bit safer in hospitals. Sick patients, and sick nurses also use the regular switches which passes the bacteria/virus to anyone who touches that switch.

Hey they developed this from the nintendo system. Don't say playing games never amounted to anything good.

I can't wait for the new playstation 4!

Star Trek comes to mind and the Holo-Deck!!!!

Cyber-S*X will take on a whole new meaning. Maybe this is their answer to reducing the population!!!

This discovery has profound implications for human - machine interaction and data representation. Something like a touchable hologram would change the way we experience cyber world forever.

Just think about what a grown-up version of a device like that might mean when, lets say, hooked to a powerful electron microscope, allowing the scientists to feel an object that cant even be seen by the naked eye.

Glorious invention.

Kind regards, M.

The Future Is Now.

Star and flag for this.

When is playstation 4 coming out, and yes the porn industry would make big bucks with this technology

I assume the set-up costs in the millions as of right now. Very awesome find though. S+F for shizzle.

AWESOME! This means that when they project a 2000 foot jesus for project blue beam ill actually feel like im punching and kicking him. Amazing.

reply to post by ElectricUniverse


But this is suppopsed to be an American invention.We are the ones who do the inventing.

In my opinion they stole this technology from American Labs and are going make tons of money from American brains and toil and sweat and dollars.

This is wrong.We should have them arrested and extradited for espionage

A programme on tv confirmed that Japanese cannot think creatively.They can only copy other peoples ideas.

So again we should launch a full investigation how they came up this invention which belongs to us Americans.

They stole LCD technology as well from us and cell phones and too many others.

All labs should tighten up security and bar anyone suspicious looking.

Imagine a light switch or a book that appears only

light switch or book...aint no good salesman..i opt for the porn thing too ..that shall be a drawback for all the women in the world hahaha...we can have any woman anytime..that sounds gr8...can we donate or help these ppl

The Porn Industry will probably fund the advancement of this scientific achievement more then the Military will.... that's the real achievement lol

first thing I thought of was star trek. A holo-deck would be amazing.
I wonder which alien species technology they are reverse-engineering on this project.

Or does this mean that the matrix theory is real? I think I hear a phone ringing somewhere..

As for the porn thing, I always thought that is what the crew of the enterprise was really doing in there when no one was looking.

good post... strong idea...
I magine creating a astrophysics lab where you can push a meteor through a solar system watching the events, would be great for getting people to understand it.
Ok or creating a virtual instrument, like a guitar that you can carry anywhere and start playing. HAHAHA street corner virtual guitar hero, wow.

Very interesting... while I can see the obvious advantages and love new advances in useful technologies.. can anyone else see an unstoppable army...cannot be killed or beaten... there not even really there.

Worse yet..utilizing this tech... they could do away with the holographic image altogether...and have invisible warriors, able to affect physical matter or kill you... with just the use of the molded ultrasonic waves.

Not being a doom and gloom kinda guy... I cant help but to see the cons seem to out-weigh the pros. Useful technology is always dangerous in the wrong hands or used for the wrong purposes. Holographic or invisible armies.. not soundin' too good for the good guys.

reply to post by Alter-Ego


LOL yeah. I try not to think negative.

It's the same with robots, I can see the amazing potential robots can give to the world, many people will lose their jobs to them thou lol, but at the same time they will be serving humans at home, cleaning the house etc, helping elderly, disabled etc

[edit on 19-9-2009 by _Phoenix_]

I'm reading The Holographic Universe for the first time right now, and this is amazing. I'm not sure that ultrasound is going to be the way to go in the long run, but it's very interesting.

LOL, you guys are bad, but funny. My husband says you should all wait until the product is very well tested before uh, trusting the technology with anything important to you.

Originally posted by AmethystSD

LOL, you guys are bad, but funny. My husband says you should all wait until the product is very well tested before uh, trusting the technology with anything important to you.

Oh my you put a horrific image in my mind, good point haha.

How long before I can have my very own holographic girlfriend? And can I preorder one now?