Holograms and potential use in Healthcare

A hologram is a three-dimensional image created by the distortion of light beams that reflect real objects in real life. Holograms store depth, parallax, and other features of the original object. They are great for introducing complex technical concepts and showcasing attractive products in appearance.

So, what is a hologram? Holograms are three-dimensional images produced by disturbing light rays that reflect real, tangible objects. Unlike the usual 3D guesses, holograms can be seen with the naked eye.

There are two ways to make holograms: using a computer — with real mirrors and physical — with an optical display.

Stereotypical holograms

The most common example of a stereotypical hologram is Microsoft HoloLens. In 2015, Microsoft became the first company to introduce HoloLens holographic glasses.

To create HoloLens hologram, content creators use HoloStudio software. Users can import models from other applications or customise 3D objects with the app’s help. In short, you can use HoloLens to create complex visuals. Next, these objects are placed at the top of the image of the surrounding earth utilising the glass of a non-real object.

The result is an image that looks very similar to Pokemon Go. The only difference is that at HoloLens, instead of seeing amazing dinosaurs, you are using a virtual workplace, an education office, or a visual conference with a colleague.

HoloLens makes this possible by linking AR objects to standard computer programs for work and entertainment.

Real hologram

In 1947, Dennis Gabor — a Hungarian-British physicist — developed a modern hologram theory while working with an electron microscope. However, optical holography did not improve until the arrival of the laser in 1960. The laser emits a powerful light that captures only a few nanoseconds.

This makes it possible to detect holograms of high-speed events, such as an arrow or a flying bullet. The first human-based laser hologram was created in 1967, which paved the way for many other applications of holographic technology.

So, how do holograms work? When illuminated with a laser, holograms can create an accurate 3D clone of an object and duplicate its features.

To produce an accurate view of a hologram somewhere in space, two light waves must be accompanied by a motion — a reference wave and an object wave. The light source creates the reference wave, and the object wave is visible from the recorded object. There is also a photo plate where black lines are “printed” depending on the distribution of electrical energy (interference).

The same process takes place in a regular photographic film. However, a printed copy of the photographic paper is required to reproduce an image on it. However, during the practical application of hologram technology, everything happens differently.

To reproduce the “portrait”, the image plate must be “illuminated” by another wave of light near the reference wave, which converts both waves into a new wave of light running along with the object wave. The result is the most complete manifestation of the object itself.

What are some of the most common potential use cases in the industry?

Holographic technology is used in a variety of ways in every few industries. The list below includes some of the most popular examples:

1. Communication

We have already seen examples of holographic communication in healthcare. To make the call happen, two holograms are needed from the patient and doctor. Both are fully capable of conveying emotions and perhaps in the future user touch.

2. Education

In 2015, Nobel laureate and Stanford University professor of physics Karl Wieman spoke at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) without leaving the United States.

In 2013, St George’s University of London unveiled a hologram that can show the active parts of the human body. The presentation featured three-dimensional images of a four-foot-tall kidney, a skull, and other body parts.

3. Location navigation

In 2017, scientists from the Munich University of Technology developed a way to find three-dimensional hologram using a Wi-Fi hotspot. The method described in the study allows for creating copies of buildings by displaying objects around them. This technology can locate and rescue victims trapped under an avalanche or inside collapsed buildings.

4. Marketing and direct sales

Product hologram is a new marketing strategy to attract customer attention. With the help of a hologram, you can enlarge a copy of the 3D product and be able to move around it. This is ideal for customers who want to see their desired purchase in full detail.

In 2017, Barbie introduced a holographic robot doll that responds to voice commands. The toy answered questions about the weather and discussed other topics.

5. Music shows

Eric Prydz’s face hologram culminated in his EPIC 5.0 show in London, 2017. An impressive laser show accompanied the performance of the famous French DJ. By the end of the evening, more than 300 lasers performed a hologram of a DJ’s head volume. Since then, DJ programs have been in vogue. Just next to my apartment in Stratford, London ABBA are building a purpose-built stadium for their state-of-the-art shows. In addition, they are producing their own “Abbatars”. It will be interesting to see how this is received by the audience but may form the template of the future of concerts.

6. Return of historical statistics

In 2012, the Digital Domain studio, specialising in the VFX of Hollywood movie stars, brought Tupac Shakur back to life as a unique 3D hologram. They created animated digital avatar animations similar to Tupac’s life using a dual character and body. In 2014, Tupac appeared at Coachella for his digital manhood status.

As with Tupac and any other educational activity such as making a visual history museum, producing holograms requires more planning and communication, first, these holograms were created based on the use of unique digital images by people who left us long ago.

Creating 3D models, dynamic motion, and real-world speech is not easy. In other words, we can not only restore Tupac’s voice from the past, but it is also possible to create new authentic content as if the artist is still with us.

The future of holographic technology

The steady increase in computing power worldwide will allow for the creation of digital models that will provide the ever-increasing speed that will make it extremely difficult to distinguish the real ones.

Next, the emergence of holographic technology will lead to their growing discovery and portability. Augmented reality will no longer require the need to wear special glasses but will be integrated directly with landscape elements. Of course, we already know how holographic pedestrian crossing and holographic advertising work. But we can only imagine how our cities and lives will change as the pace of technological evolution continues to accelerate.

Hologram penetration depends on 5G

Bandwidth is the first limit on the hologram.

5G is targeting tens of gigabytes per second download speeds. (My phone currently allows around 2GB/s) There have been some studies about teleporting requirements which are in the order of terabits per second. However, about four terabits per second for full HD resolution will be required. Ultimately we want to empower a completely holographic sense, so we want to look like we are in the same room. This can be very expensive, depending on the bandwidth, but the desire appears to be increasing.

Early market features also create a “wow factor” that organisations can use to differentiate themselves. For example, avatar creation seems to precede holograms. For example, solid 2D models are commonly used as image retrieval in email, social networks, sharing tools, etc., while 3D versions are used in virtual reality (VR).

Unity Technology game and application development platform supports 2D and 3D. Unreal Engine 4 and the newly released powerful version 5 will allow photoreal images and help create digital humans that could be used as holograms.

Holograms will potentially enhance the future of communication, presentation and brand ownership. VR, AR and Spatial Web will provide viewers with inspiring new ways of interacting and providing information and is an exciting development.