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By Nick Heath, 19 May 2008 14:24

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Stepping out of the tube, visitors immediately find themselves standing on a giant image, a prototype for a projector that will eventually allow people to interact with 3D holograms, pictured here.

A grid of 64 sensors monitors the surface of the image, playing piano notes as a person moves across its surface.

The finished 3D version will pair a holographic projector with grids of sonar sensors that measure a person's movement and position within the virtual space.

Researchers hope that eventually the kit will allow people to step into a holographic image and interact with it, picking up virtual balls and opening virtual doors.

The holographic system will use multiple sensor grids to build a virtual 3D version of a person by firing sonar at them and measuring how long it takes to bounce off their body, allowing it to co-ordinate their actions with the holographic image.

A major military power is already considering using the system for a virtual battle simulator, and there is also interest from a large player in the aerospace industry, the company said.

Photo credit: Satyam