3D holographic chats will become a reality with the Telepod

Crystal balls and magic mirrors through which you can talk to others are simply mystical. Three dimensional tele communication has been on the mind of many people ever since they saw Princess Leia talk to Obi Wan Kenobi through a holographic image of herself in the smashing sci-fi hit Star Wars. But if research efforts of a team from Human Media Lab at the Canadian Queens University work out well, then you will be able to experience the thrill of holo chat in reality soon.

Dubbed as the telepod, this tubular cylinder will hold the image of the person you are taking to right in front of you. The life sized image will have sufficient depth and will look as good as real. You can view the person being telecast from all sides and even walk around them. Yeah, you got it right, this is a stark 3D image, and not the 2D shows with slight depth that you usually see.

People who know about 3D projection will surely ask how all this is possible with just six kinects. Well, of course, it is not possible. A total of 10 kinects have made this marvelous break through achievable. Additional four Kinects will be placed in the room where the 3D images will be cast. These extra sensors will make it possible to view the images from the side as well as the back.

So, this system can only be used in one room that has all the installation. Also, only one person will be able to see the 3D image at a time. The mechanism is not as breathtaking as the 3D holograms in Star Wars as yet but the fine tuning is going on. And when it rolls out, it will completely transform the transmission of teleconferences and 3D advertisements. Via: Queens University Media Lab