Holodecks: it's a start.

[Knoxworth]

I think you've got it backwards.

It's not likely to be sold at Target. Selling to commercial ventures such as theme parks is more likely (initially). Those investors could afford a contract for a single attraction. The army could buy contracts to research camouflage or whatever. These ventures are more likely for the present. Compared to investing for the manufacture of a thousand little lamps.... only to be a flop on the shelves.


Housing: I'm curious if there's some form of glass or fabric that the image could pass through with little loss. That way the housing could be much smaller and viewers could pass their hand through the hologram. But is the glass required for the image? Anybody read up on it?

 

[Anhar_Miah]

Well as for practical applications, I'm no expert but as best I can see is this:

True output of any 3d data, e.g. computer games can be played in true 3d space rather than just watching in flat 2d.

Entertainment, Films/ Movies on the big screen, we know that the early adventures of 3d cinema failed (those green/red glasses), but they where not True 3d, as they only had limited depth information, work is being done on multiple projection techniques, combined with 3d cameras (one such system uses two DVX100's attached together, however these may only yield limited depth information as before), a true system would either be a mix of CG and film captured to cover the 360 degree angles (the missing angles may be interpolated)

Engineering/Medical/Scientific applications:

Think of "3d fax machine", it would be possible to scan a mechanical components and then have it re-constructed using 3d "rapid prototyping" (which already exists today).

This alone opens up many avenues, the ability to not only store real world objects as a collection of digital data, BUT to be able to (a) Display it in 3d (not flat 2d screen), and (b) Re-construct it physically.

Interesting times for sure.

 

[DeSica]

Yeah...I figured as much.

Theatre in the round could become cinema in the round, so to speak. Planetariums would do a nice business doing Laser Zeppelin on a whole other level.

I was wondering if the medical field might presently benefit. Something like 3D image modelling of x-rays and ultrasounds and the like.