A few years ago, tangible holograms were confined to movies and science fiction only. However, thanks to technological breakthroughs, you can now enjoy and interact with 3D holographic displays.
Although there is still room for improvement, the world’s first interactive 3D holographic display remains a thing of marvel. In this article, we dissect these innovative displays and their impact on different businesses.
What is the Word’s First Interactive 3D Holographic Display?
Although there are conflicting reports about the first 3D holographic display, the development of FlexiVol remains a notable breakthrough. FlexVol, developed by the Public University of Navarra in Spain, enabled users to manipulate a hologram in thin air with their hands.
This was a breakthrough in the 3D holographic display with many companies claiming to have developed their first interactive 3D holographic display with advanced capabilities.
Ideally, FlexVol was unveiled at CHI 2025 in Japan. This technology captured global attention due to:
- Humans could interact with virtual objects projected in thin air
- Bypassing the need for clumsy external controllers
Although FlexiVol was a research breakthrough, its impact has extended beyond laboratories. By proving that users could interact with holographic content, it opened doors to the development of commercial holographic displays. In today’s digital marketing, you will find holographic displays in retail stores, product launches and immersive marketing.
Since then, companies like JYLED and Looking Glass Factory have developed superior holographic systems playing an integral role in marketing and retail.
Although Dennis Gabor developed holographic technology in the 1940s, it did not offer real-time user interaction. They were mainly holographic projections, where users could not manipulate holographic objects.
FlexiVol as a Breakthrough in Interactive 3D Holographic Display
Before unveiling FlexiVol, there were previous holograms that were already in the industry. However, these hologram technologies have many challenges such as:
- Ability to offer a visual-only experience: The traditional hologram technologies could only create optical illusions. That is, you could only look without having any direct interaction.
- Static projections: Light was mainly in a fixed space. This implies that it could not reshape itself or adapt to human movement.
How FlexiVol Changed Interactive 3D Holographic Displays
Unlike the previous technologies that were designed for viewing, the world’s first interactive 3D holographic display introduced a totally different phenomenon. By introducing FlexVol, the world witnessed an intuitive and more practical holographic display technology.
Among the key technologies that changed the industry were:
· Flexible Display Technology
Most conventional volumetric displays used rigid oscillating surfaces, which had serious safety concerns. Thanks to the FlexiVol flexible display materials that solved this major problem.
The new hologram technology had a flexible diffuser where you could safely reach the display area without disrupting the projected hologram or damaging the device. This was a key technology that helped bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds that existed in the traditional hologram systems.
· Direct Human Interaction
With FlexiVol, the system replaced the use of controllers and input devices. That is, users could interact with holographic objects using natural hand movements.
By selecting, moving and manipulating objects directly within the digital space, the new technology created an intuitive and immersive experience. This was a major milestone in achieving a science-fiction vision of touchable holograms.
· Real-time Holographic Manipulation
Combining responsive rendering systems with advanced tracking technologies, FlexiVol could detect user movement and then adjust holographic content instantly.
Actually, this made interaction look natural, thereby replacing the traditional holographic displays. In fact, this formed an important development in the displays you see today in the hologram advertising industry.
In short, this innovation extended the functionalities beyond holographic visualization. It demonstrated that it is possible for humans to actually interact with three-dimensional digital content.
This breakthrough in the world’s first interactive 3D holographic display opened new possibilities in many industries. Today, you can find interactive holographic systems in healthcare, education, retail and immersive marketing, just to highlight a few.
How Businesses Benefit from FlexiVol Interactive 3D Holographic Display
The growth of most businesses is often attributed to advertisements, and interactive 3D holographic displays provide a unique advertising medium for distinct businesses. Switching from 2D displays to 3D holographic displays promises a range of distinct rewards, key amongst them being.
- Increased Customer Engagement: 3D holographic displays promise one of the most immersive viewing experiences, hence most businesses are turning to them as the primary advertisement medium. They not only capture the attention of target customers but also leave a lasting impression.
- Better Product Understanding: 3D holographic displays offer unmatched business hologram solutions, allowing different businesses to advertise their products or display relevant information.
- Enhanced Product Differentiation: Interactive 3D displays allow businesses to advertise their products in a unique and eye-catching manner. This makes the products stand out from competing products, ultimately growing your customer base and brand standing.
- Higher Trade Show ROI: 3D holographic displays double up as interactive product displays, giving prospective buyers a closer look at your products. The advertised products can be viewed from multiple angles, and viewers can interact with the respective virtual products.
Differences Between 3D Holographic Displays and 2D Displays
Although 3D holographic displays came into the fold recently, they are slowly growing in prominence. They are a huge upgrade on traditional 2D displays, and this table highlights the key differences between the two display technologies.
| Feature | 3D Holographic Display | 2D Display |
| User Interaction | Allows viewers to interact with the virtual objects without necessitating the use of special glasses. | User interaction is achieved by the use of touchscreens, buttons, or computer keyboards. |
| Image Presentation | Images are projected with great depth and are essentially three-dimensional. | Images projected are not as detailed as the ones projected on 3D holographic displays. |
| Spatial Visualization | Ideal for both complex and simple 3D objects. | Does not support 3D images and objects. |
| Viewing Experience | Promises an immersive viewing experience. | Not as immersive as 3D holographic displays. |
| Cost | Relatively more expensive. | Comparatively cheaper. |
| Processing Requirements | Boasts greater processors. | Has relatively lower processing requirements. |
| Hardware Complexity | Necessitates complex hardware, including sensors and cameras. | Requires relatively simpler hardware. |
Future of Interactive Holographic Technology
Whilst interactive 3D holographic displays are impressive and revolutionary, they are still not the finished article. They are continually evolving as innovators seek to make them better. Here are key innovations expected to be incorporated into 3D holographic displays in the near future.
- AI-Integration
- Spatial Computing
- Smart Manufacturing Applications
- Mixed Reality Convergence
FAQs
How did unveiling FlexiVol transform the 3D holographic display industry?
FlexiVol has been at the forefront of 3D holographic display manufacturing. It is particularly credited for transforming volumetric displays into interactive holographic displays.
Is the 3D Hologram actually tangible?
Yes. Thanks to a recent breakthrough in 3D holographic displays, you can now interact with virtual objects displayed on interactive holographic displays. Long gone are the days when tangible 3D holograms were only seen in movies.
Do you require special glasses to experience a 3D holographic display?
No. Contemporary 3D holographic displays utilize sensors and cameras to track your movement and hand gestures in real time. This means that you can view the 3D hologram without necessarily putting on special glasses.
Can different people interact with a 3D holographic display at the same time?
Yes. Interactive 3D holographic displays support multi-user engagement, meaning that different viewers can interact with the displayed hologram simultaneously.
Are 3D holographic displays different from projectors?
Whereas both 3D holographic displays and projectors are utilized to project different content, they are quite different. 3D holographic displays simply create an illusion of tangible virtual objects, while projectors display 2D images and videos.
Are 3D Holographic displays commercially available?
Yes. If you are looking to improve the manner in which you present your products or services, you can procure or rent an interactive 3D holographic display. These displays are advertised on multiple online shops, and they vary in price depending on their complexity.
Ready to Start New Holographic Display Experience?
JYLED is a trusted holographic display solutions provider in China. With our unique immersive 3D display solutions, JYLED focuses on empowering brands globally. From our 3D LED screen to cube LED display, we offer a wide range of innovative solutions that are easy to implement with AI advertising platforms – Contact us today for custom innovative holographic display solutions.
