It's not really holographic, but it still looks pretty cool. What the system consists of is a projector at the bottom of a tube, which projects a special (as in, the object needs to be photographed from 24 different angles special) image to the top of the tube, where a mirror sits. This mirror then bounces the image to 24 other mirrors, that then bounce the image again to a rotating mirror in the middle.
What ends up happening is a simulated 3D image, viewable from any angle.

Hitachi Corporation announced o­n the 24th that they have devloped the experimental "Transpost," which employs newly developed technology that allows for an image to be simulated as a solid object, viewable from any angle.

The "Transpost" experimental display system consists of a 2m high, 40cm diameter cylindrical column, that can display a 6cm high, 4cm diameter solid body image. In addition to looking as though the image is floating in air, it can be viewed from any of the 360 degrees, still appearing as a solid body.

The newly developed technology projects the processed image of a subject that has been photographed from multiple angles o­n to a special rotating screen, which makes it appear as though it is a solid object. o­n the experimental display equipment, an image photographed from 24 different directions is projected from a LCD projector at the bottom of the pedestal, o­n to a mirror surface at the top part, which then reflets the light down to 24 different mirrors surround the main screen - a rotating screen that picks up light from each of these 24 mirrors, and portrays the original image as a solid body.



In accordance with the newly developed photography system that automatically create pictures from 24 different angles at the same time, real time solid body display is now also possible. Also, photographed data can be sent over a network, meaning real time solid body display from remote locations is also possible.





Although Hitachi has said, "At the current development level and experimental equipment levels, plans for market investment have not yet decided," they have also said they will "send images of the experimental products overseas, and do presentations." Since the merits of having a real-time solid body display system are great, the technology will hopefully be diffused in both the business and entertainment industries.

Inspired by:
http://pcweb.mycom.co.jp/news/2004/02/24/007.html

News Release:
http://www.hitachi.co.jp/New/cnews/040224a.html

HHIL Homepage :
http://hhil.hitachi.co.jp/index.html
Take a look at that o­ne, a bunch of odd products there. I like the water display!

Transpost Homepage:
http://hhil.hitachi.co.jp/products/transpost.htm