World's first 'retina resolution' holograms are here, startup claims

VividQ develops holograms with a resolution equivalent to that of the human retina, marking a significant technological advancement.

16:51 18 January 2024

VividQ, a UK startup, has developed the world's first-ever holograms featuring "retina resolution." This breakthrough signifies a pivotal advancement in holography, aligning the resolution and realistic focus cues to meet the expectations of the human eye, resulting in an enhanced and more natural viewing experience. The company plans to integrate this technology into upcoming VR headsets.

The holograms are crafted by manipulating light waves to depict objects in three-dimensional space, mimicking the way human eyes perceive objects reflecting light. In this holographic process, software controls the pathways of light. VividQ projects computer-generated images through high-performance 4K display hardware, allowing the placement of 3D holographic objects at various distances within a person's focal range. Users can effortlessly shift focus between objects, creating a more immersive experience.

VividQ anticipates the immediate impact of this technology in VR and mixed reality applications, particularly in gaming. The company envisions unparalleled levels of immersion and realism, addressing common challenges in virtual reality experiences.

This breakthrough technology offers potential solutions for VR-related issues. Users can customize holograms to their eyesight without relying on bulky equipment. Furthermore, they can dynamically adjust focus and alter the distances of digital objects, reducing side effects such as nausea, eye fatigue, and headaches.

To demonstrate the benefits, VividQ showcased retina resolution holograms using a high-performance LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) display from JVCKenwood (JKC), a Japanese electronics firm. The collaboration between the two companies aims to commercialize this technology.

Darran Milne, CEO of VividQ, emphasized the feasibility and inevitability of holographic display technology, showcasing retina resolution holograms on commercially available components from JKC. The collaboration aims to break down barriers between this revolutionary display technology and real-world applications.