Parity Mirror®, a plate-shaped optical element that enables "aerial images". What if something appeared in front of you, floating in the air like in a sci-fi movie? Would you be tempted to touch it? We interviewed with Dr. Maekawa, CEO, who is working on the development of Parity Mirror®.
Contact Person：Satoshi Maekawa Position：CEO Bio： After graduating from Kyoto University with a bachelor’s degree in physics, he worked for NEC Corporation before completing a doctorate in electrical engineering at the Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University. Ph.D. in Engineering from Kyoto University, where he was working on research related to deep learning. After that, he joined the Communications Research Laboratory of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (now the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology), where he conducted research on deep learning, bio-signal processing, body image, etc., and developed aerial video technology, and established Parity Innovations Inc. as a venture from NICT for practical use.
Parity Mirror®
Parity Innovations Co. Ltd. develops and sells Parity Mirror, an imaging optical element that uses a micromirror array structure. The basic technology was developed by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), and basic patents have been granted in Japan, US, China, Korea, India, UK, Germany, and France. We have concluded an exclusive license agreement as a venture from NICT. The “Parity Mirror®” allows the image source to appear in full color and without distortion in the air just by placing it on top of the image source. The floating images displayed can be observed with the naked eye, without the need for special glasses or head-mounted displays, and without the need for special editing or conversion work on the image on the source. By combining it with sensors, we have realized “Air switches” and “Floating touch displays” that can be operated by touching the images displayed in the air with a finger.
– Can you see it with the naked eye?
Recently, augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) have become popular, but these technologies do not augment reality itself, but only make it appear as if reality is augmented on devices such as smartphones and HMDs. Parity Mirror®, on the other hand, can project aerial images that exist visually in real space. In other words, it is a technology that can augment reality itself. This means that even a passerby can experience an augmented reality. For example, at events, various characters can be made to appear in real space, creating an impactful effect.
– Can you touch the images in the air?
By combining sensors, it is possible to operate images projected in the air as a touch panel. If a reception machine that is touched by a large number of people is operated by projecting it in the air, it can be used as an infection control measure. This is useful in public facilities, medical facilities, etc. It is also possible to project recommended menu items in the air at restaurants. This will stimulate the appetite of customers more than a flat screen image. There are many other ways to use such as digital signage, displaying advertisements in the air, and projecting characters and products in the air at events. It depends on your ideas.
– What industries would you like to see Parity Mirror® used in?
Medical, manufacturing, food and beverage, and entertainment industries all have potential. And also, we would like IP holders who have digital contents to experience our Parity Mirror® and develop it together with us. Our technology is a mirror. We are looking for “something to project” that will become a killer content.
– What is your plan for overseas development?
Currently, we are working on joint development with overseas sensor and device manufacturers. We hope to show the results of our efforts at international technology exhibitions. As for overseas markets, we are planning to expand into the Chinese market, as the Chinese market is highly interested in this technology. Of course, we will also promote sales to other countries around the world.
