- 3D holograms are common nowadays, but none of them have captured my imagination like this one. Jerry Terrance, an 85-year-old grandfather from Los Angeles did realize a “copy” of it as a 3D hologram. It will function as a human time capsule for future generations: His “holographic twin” will guide his two children, his four grandchildren and future great-grandchildren through his family history.
I think it's a fantastic way to preserve my family history for future generations,” Terrance noted. “Seeing myself like this is incredible. It's like I'm watching a movie. A real magic.
Digital heritage
The 3D hologram was recorded in a custom green screen studio with 30 cameras. In the virtual environment, Grandpa Jerry tells his family story, while accompanying footage and photographs are projected onto the wall behind him like a time “atlas.” While he talks about the 60s, for example, it is possible to see original materials, fabrics and clothes from the time, and so on.
Jerry's family can watch the completed project in immersive VR using a headset like the Meta Quest 2. They can also walk around Jerry's 3D hologram and view him from various perspectives, just as they would a real person. For Jerry, creating the project is an opportunity to preserve not only his family's history, but also his personal legacy, while interacting in some way with his future great-grandchildren, even after his death.
“My daughter put the headset on and said it brings back great memories. She also discovered things about me that she didn't know before, and that she will tell her children about. She was exciting!”
A book of life for children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren
I find that this special format (who knows what the next ones will be) is already a unique way to tell life stories in depth. What makes virtual reality worth exploring is that you will be able to immerse yourself in the life of a loved one, listen to their voice and feel them a little closer.
The combination of these elements will be crucial. And one day you may even witness memories captured directly by cameras and sensors and stored in discs with immense memory. Great-grandchildren will get to know their ancestors.
This news gives me a great sense of continuity: technology has not found a way to make us reborn, but somehow it will revive us.
