Holographic Technology

IKIN exists to continuously study, develop and drive the ability of technology and interactivity to enhance the human experience. The extraordinary concepts that result are then internally tested and realized in a rapid-fire process that allows us to take an idea from initial prototype to final form and launch faster than corporations many times our size.

Inventing the future is what we do.

Few technologies have captivated both the attention and imagination of humanity as the Hologram. The concept of holographic technology, through decades of invention and consumer desire, has evolved far beyond the strict physical definition previously imposed on it. Purists would argue that, by definition, a ‘hologram’ is a three-dimensional image formed by the interference of light beams from a laser or other coherent light source. This definition, when compared to the common conceptualization of a hologram, is archaic or, at best, incomplete.

Nearly every fictional, and yet unrealized, representation of the future, be it film, television, or concept design, utilizes what would be termed ‘holograms.’ However, this idealized dream of the technology is not a static technology that fits the rigid definition, but a social and emotional platform geared toward changing the landscape of how we imagine and desire our technology to evolve with us. Every day, technology grows and changes, providing services and experiences that were previously unimaginable. Why would our definition for our desired technologies not change to grow in tandem?

Rather than engage in an intellectual argument regarding the underlying physics and electrodynamics of holography, looking forward demands a broader and more commercially focused approach – specifically, identifying how holographic systems are idealized and how they can be utilized and monetized in the real world.

A Marketplace View

As with the advent of all major market-changing technologies, the birth and creation of functional invention is preceded by economic and consumer desire. The consumer desire for a realistic augmentation and adaptation of personal life experiences is long-standing. Through ethereal experiences and stage productions, to the nearly ubiquitous memory of the Princess Leia holographic projection in Star Wars, public perception of genuine ‘reality augmentation’ relies on holographic visual systems. However, based on the common preconception of a holographic visual system, a more accurate definition would be: A volumetric optical light field, projected in open space, which allows for the perception of a user’s environment to be interrupted and augmented.

This definition will alter the trajectory of holographic visual technology advancements. The science behind this technology is crucial, however, commercial presentation and accessibility will ultimately decide its success. As a technology with a targeted focus on manipulating a perceived human reality, fundamental requirements for adoption include a substantial content library and convenient functionalities. Historical and current examples of what are deemed successful ‘holograms,’ while captivating, must occur in sufficiently darkened and controlled light environments at fixed venues. Making these iterations of a holographic technology functional, but not convenient for mass adoption. Paired with this problem is the difficulty and expense of generating visual content or services for these venues, making them visually stimulating but with limited shelf life.