MIT’s ZeroN: One Step Closer to a Holodeck

Jinha Lee, Rehmi Post, and Hiroshi Ishii of MIT have created this astounding element, the ZeroN Levitated Interaction Element. ZeroN is a physical and digital interaction element that floats and moves in space by computer-controlled magnetic levitation. Both the computer and people can move the ZeroN in the 3D space.

The team developed a magnetic control system that can levitate and actuate a permanent magnet in a pre-defined 3D volume and combined with an optical tracking and display system that projects images on the levitating object. The results are fascinating.