At CES 2018, Avalon Holographics revealed Novac, their first true holographic table display that’s ready for commercial use. This launch opens a new world of possibilities in the world of visual technology. Located in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada, the company’s mission is to revolutionize the way users explore and understand three-dimensional data. Novac displays a jaw-dropping 40-inch screen with an insane 63,888 × 69,696 pixel resolution. The display features a square aspect ratio of 1:1, making it an ideal tool for various applications across multiple industries.
The Novac system integrates cutting-edge technology, including an RTX server—a three-rack system equipped with eight powerful graphics processing units (GPUs). Such a cutting-edge configuration enables Novac to take in an incredible five terabits of data per second. It runs perfectly at 30 fps. The installation features an eye-popping 4.5 billion active pixels. Providing an ultra-wide 74 degree by 74 degree viewing angle, it ensures a realistic and immersive visual experience from all angles. Weighing in at 975 pounds, Novac has a depth of approximately six to eight inches, making it a substantial yet manageable addition to any workspace.
The Vision Behind Novac
Wally Haas, president of Avalon Holographics, underscored the impact of their new product in a statement about its creation. “If you can’t see it, you might miss it,” he remarked, underlining the necessity of high-quality visualization for effective decision-making.
Haas went on to elaborate further about a long-term vision behind the technology. He explained, “The Star Trek Holodeck is the end vision, and these are simply interim steps on the way to it. His statements are testimony to the ambition of creating an interactive environment that replicates the cool, immersive worlds we see in media like Ready Player One.
Moreover, he explained the technical foundations of Novac’s capabilities: “You put a beam on an emulsion, and you specify, you illuminate it and then the constructive phase creates an image. Human eyes don’t determine phase. They only get color direction and intensity. We are actually a light field display. At the same time we consider ourselves a holographic display, because “hologram” in its original sense means complete information. This granular level of detail is a testament to the complexity and sophistication of the technology behind Novac.
Applications and Impact
The uses for Novac go well beyond recreation. Avalon Holographics has created some of the most spectacular holographic display prototypes. They marketed these devices as research tools to a variety of organizations, including the Canadian Armed Forces. These installations show the exciting potential of muted collaborative technology in dramatic, real-world situations.
One installation of Novac is located at a national government lab. Others are doing well at a military installation, a hospital and at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Each of these environments makes use of Novac’s extensive expertise to improve the quality of training while increasing operational effectiveness.
Haas stressed that Novac is giving decision makers all the visual tools they require to make informed decisions. We’ve packaged all this information in a format that’s about as simple to use as a television. One of the most powerful aspects, according to him, is how organizations can now model different scenarios, identify risks and adapt strategies in real-time. This capability is immensely impactful to many industries from space explorations to surgical training. In these communities, every detail counts—precision and clarity can make the difference between an initiative’s success or its failure.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, Avalon Holographics sees big potential in expanding what Novac is capable of. Once completely funded, the next version of the Novac system is expected to be ready within four years. This new, improved iteration will improve performance by up to 10x. At the same time, it will reduce costs to as low as 10% of existing price.
Haas expressed optimism about the journey that has led to this point: “It’s taken us 10 years to get here, but we finally have this large holographic display, and we’re just super excited to show it.”
The company continues leading the transportation technology innovation revolution with a stable of more than 100 committed employees. To date, they’ve already issued over 60 patents, with another 60 patents pending. Avalon Holographics recently raised $65 million in funding to accelerate those efforts. They are currently poised to drive the market with their true holographic technology.
