This soft and bendy hologram fan is touch friendly, and also checks notes can be used to prevent chemical burns
A team of researchers at the University of Chicago has developed BloomBeacon, a soft and flexible holographic display that addresses critical safety concerns with traditional hologram fans. Unlike conventional models with spinning blades that pose hazards if touched, BloomBeacon features two soft, bendable arms designed to create a completely safe and interactive holographic interface.
The device uses dual functionality in its innovative design: one arm contains LEDs that generate the holographic display, while the other is equipped with capacitive touch-sensing pads. This combination enables users to safely interact with projected visuals without risk of injury, eliminating the dangerous characteristics of traditional spinning fan-blade holograms.
Beyond its primary application as a novel display technology, BloomBeacon has demonstrated additional practical utility, including the ability to prevent chemical burns—expanding its potential applications beyond consumer electronics and entertainment into safety-critical domains.
The technology is moving toward consumer availability through partnerships with major PC hardware manufacturers, with planned integration into Asus PC cases. This deployment represents a significant step in bringing advanced holographic display technology from research facilities into mainstream consumer systems.
The development demonstrates how innovation can address previous technical limitations while introducing new possibilities for human-computer interaction through safe, touchable holographic interfaces.