How would you feel about talking to a hologram about your airline woes?
In yet another example of the future running rampant and the lines between sci-fi and the real world beginning to blur, some American airports are soon set to debut an interactive hologram to the public.
Dubbed AVA, the device is apparently a ‘hologram virtual assistant’ and is created by projecting the image of a happy smiley human onto a six-foot high piece of plexiglass.
As it currently stands, AVA can only say a pre-recorded message whenever someone comes by, but the creators (airportone.com) are currently working hard to give the hologram voice-recognition, and the ability to answer your questions. I’m just hoping she won’t struggle to understand my native Geordie twang; saying ‘Where are the lavvies pet?’ is much different from ‘Could you please direct me to the toilets?’ after all.
AVA is apparently multi-lingual though, so she should be ok.
The devices are currently on six month trial in both New York and New Jersey, where reactions to the hologram have apparently been mixed. A few people have reported being creeped out by the hologram’s eyes somehow following them, while others have expressed interest in the novelty. You have to wonder whether the device is the latter of these two feelings; while it seems a nifty piece of technology, AVA is currently just a bit of a gimmick that probably isn’t as helpful as a real human.
Apparently the hologram also has a number of pre-programmed actions that it performs when it isn’t being interacted with. Holograms get bored too you know!
It’s believed the technology could potentially be used in other areas, such as hospitals, business offices, stores and museums.
At the moment AVA isn’t really that advanced, but she’s well on the way to being every bit as helpful as AVINA, a similarly named hologram that’s present in videogame Mass Effect that directs you to anywhere you need to go and gives you handy information.
