Election Day featured CNN’s holographic election coverage. (But were those images really holograms?) Later Endgadget pointed to NICT researchers developing a new method to make holography more practical (image above). And then yesterday The Chronicle reported on a U. of Southern California professor unveiling a Holographic Videoconferencing System.
Other than looking extremely cool, what’s the point?
[Professor] Debevec argues that the holographic system is better than a phone call or a traditional videoconference because users are able to make eye contact, and viewers can tell which way the holographic caller is looking. “It helps people know whose turn it is to speak and helps people know who’s paying attention,” he said. “Video chats are gaining in popularity, but you don’t usually get accurate eye contact.”
During the conference, Mr. Debevec…talked with a holographic image of a colleague who was broadcasting from across a convention hall as part of his demonstration. Video of the system is available on the university’s Web site.
This is not the first time Mr. Debevec’s work has intersected with science fiction. He previously developed an innovative camera technique that was used in The Matrix and other Hollywood blockbusters.
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