The Central Research Laboratories Ltd subsidiary of Thorn EMI Plc is working with Dimensional Media Associates Inc to further develop volumetric display and suspended image systems. This means they can create animated three dimensional images that appear to float in space. Central Research also said it has the ability to make the suspended image interactive by using sensor arrays that can identify where in the image an object is, but is still working to patent the technology. The two companies initially plan to develop the suspended image and interactive technology for medical imaging, and expect to have an application ready in the next 12 months, complete with interactive features. This goal results from a finance grant to Dimensional Media from the US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency to develop high definition volumetric imaging specifically for surgical simulation. The suspended image technology is called HDVD, High Definition Volumetric Display, and belongs to New York-based Dimensional Media, although Hayes, Middlesex-based Central Research has a similar technology of its own. Dimensional Media’s technology is different from the one developed by Central Research and announced at the Live ’94 consumer show in London last autumn. Dimensional Media can produce a sharper image, but the technology from Central Research is more scalable, going up to 25 in diagonal size. Central Research said it now knows how to make its images sharper and is working on that at the moment. It foresees other application areas for its technology by virtue of its scalability, including large-scale systems such as arcade games and theme park attractions. The two companies will retain individual proprietary interests in the technology under development. The HDVD technology was on display at the Science Museum in London last week. The two companies have been talking for the past year and a half and Central Research reckons that between them they have the suspended imaging market sewn up.
