New 3D Technology May Create Glasses-Free, 3D Displays

First Posted: Oct 06, 2015 12:20 PM EDT

The 3D billboard that was present in the movie, "Back to the Future Part II," may actually exist in a few short years. Scientists have created a display element which uses special micro optics and moving micro mirrors to project different pictures in different directions, creating 3D displays without the need for 3D glasses.

In Back to the Future: Part II, Marty McFly uses a time machine to travel from the year 1985 to the year 2015. During his jaunt in the future, he sees a colossal display on top of a cinema, form which a terrifying 3D shark seems to jump out to get him.

The first prototype for this type of display was developed by TriLite Technologies and TU Wien. Each 3D pixel (called "TrixelTM") consists of a laser and a moveable mirror. The mirror directs the laser beams across the field of vision, from left to right. During that movement the image information is changed. Using this basic idea, different pictures can be sent to the viewer's left and right eye, so that a 3D effect can be achieved without the need for 3D glasses.

Now, scientists have created a much more advanced prototype. It's a full color display, which is a significant advancement over the first monochromatic version. In fact, each Trixel has been equipped with three different lasers (red, blue and green).

"The software for controlling the modules and displaying movies has already been developed," said Jorg Reitterer, one of the researchers, in a news release. "We can use any off-the-shelf 3D movie and play it on our display."

The new technology could be the future for 3D movies. In fact, the technology is now ready for the market, and researchers are now looking for partners for mass production all over the world.

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Tags3d, Hologram, 3D Display, 3D Glasses, Movies, Movie