This Augmented Reality Device Allows You to Preview Food in 3D

In the ever-evolving world of the fine dining experience, restaurants are constantly searching for innovative ways to up the ante. One start-up hoping to reshape how we view menus and make dining choices is London-based HoloLamp.

Founded in 2016, HoloLamp is the first spatial augmented reality device which creates a 3D optical illusion directly viewable within your physical environment. What sets HoloLamp apart from current augmented reality devices is it’s portable, self-contained, and uses spatial augmented reality, which is a branch of augmented reality based on projectors that deliver a glasses and hands-free experience. 

It accomplishes this by exploiting how our eyes perceive 3D objects. First it maps the surface area, then tracks eye direction, projecting a warped image that creates a 3D effect from the user’s point-of-view. That means no discomfort from headsets or extended hand-held strain.

Suitable for a desktop or similarly flat surface areas, the HoloLamp has a multitude of uses which their development team have only begun to touch upon. With food playing one of the most important roles in our day to day lives, it makes perfect sense as one of the first spaces to explore the HoloLamp tech.

In the video above, HoloLamp demonstrates how the device works within a restaurant or hotel setting. By creating a mixed-reality, the portable device projects a menu experience for guests in full-sized 3D, even allowing guests to view the aesthetic of the preparation as well as the portion sizes of the dish itself in vibrant detail. Moving beyond the visual component, diners can even select the menu options physically by interacting with the augmented projection via internal sensors.

The HoloLamp brings the culinary experience to life by incorporating a 3D avatar which not only maintains eye-contact with the user, but includes fun, animated storytelling features.

Currently, the HoloLamp is nearing the end of its development phase and soon will be available for pre-order. This unique and innovative experience just might grace dining tables in restaurants and hotels everywhere in the near future.