Haptoclone - First 'touchable' hologram.

Scientists in Japan have created the first 'touchable' hologram, enabling users to experience the illusion of touching objects that aren't really there.

The Haptoclone, created by haptic researchers from the University of Tokyo's Department of Complexity Science and Engineering, consists of two boxes, one containing an object and the other displaying a hologram of it.

When a human hand comes into "contact" with the 3D image in the second box, the hologram emits ultrasonic radiation pressure, making the user feel they are actually touching the object. Meanwhile, special aerial imaging panels act like a kind of mirror, making a hologram of the hand appear visually in the other box, too, so it can "interact" with the original object.

The technology seems remarkably realistic – a Gizmodo reporter said she could tell that the holographic ball she was interacting with was made of inflated plastic just by "touching" it.

For the moment, Haptoclone is limited due to it only being able to emit safe levels of radiation, meaning the tactile sensations are reduced to a light stroking rather than a handshake or a hug.

More information here.