You all remember Princess Leia, appearing as a floating image in the early episodes of Star Wars. Sometime in the 80s, a broader audience was introduced to the word ‘hologram’.
For years, it seemed like holograms would be confined to the corner of science fiction forever. However, very recently, things have begun to change thanks to advances in optical technology.
What is hologram technology?
In real life, holograms are virtual three-dimensional images created by the interference of light beams that reflect real physical objects. Holograms preserve the depth, parallax, and other properties of the original item. They are great for presenting complex technical concepts as well as showcasing visually appealing products.
So, what is a hologram? Simply put, holograms are three-dimensional images generated by interfering beams of light that reflect real, physical objects. Unlike conventional 3D projections, holograms can be seen with the naked eye.
There are two ways to create holograms: via computer – with augmented reality glasses, and physical – for optical displays. Depending on which method is used, there are two types of holograms – stereotypical and realistic.
Stereotypical holograms
The most common and recognizable example of a stereotypical hologram is Microsoft HoloLens. In 2015, Microsoft became the first company to introduce the HoloLens holographic glasses. The technology that the tech giant unveiled is widely used today to create augmented reality.
To create holograms for HoloLens, content creators use HoloStudio software. Users can import models from other services or create 3D objects themselves with the help of the app. In short, you can use HoloLens to create complex virtual objects. In turn, these objects are superimposed on the imagery of the surrounding world through the use of virtual reality glasses.
The result is an image that appears very similar to Pokemon Go. The only difference is that in HoloLens, rather than seeing fantastical dinosaurs, you are deploying a virtual workspace, an educational office, or a virtual conference with colleagues.
HoloLens makes this possible by linking AR objects with traditional computer programs for work and entertainment. Check out this short demo for more information about holographic technology.
