scorecardThis $30 million startup is building a new kind of hologram display to save the world from the 'dystopian future' of virtual reality
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This $30 million startup is building a new kind of hologram display to save the world from the 'dystopian future' of virtual reality

The Looking Glass is small enough to fit on a desk.

This $30 million startup is building a new kind of hologram display to save the world from the 'dystopian future' of virtual reality

Looking Glass is hoping that architects ...

Looking Glass is hoping that architects ...

... product designers ...

... product designers ...

... and 3D printing experts are among the first early adopters to try the technology out.

... and 3D printing experts are among the first early adopters to try the technology out.

That's in addition to the 3D modeling experts that make up the core audience for the first batch of products.

That

Looking Glass' CEO said the company went through hundreds of prototypes before finalizing their design. Here's the Hong Kong office holding some of them.

Looking Glass

But the company is primarily based in Brooklyn, where Frayne says he wants to anchor a new "hologram district" of similar companies working with 3D imaging.

But the company is primarily based in Brooklyn, where Frayne says he wants to anchor a new "hologram district" of similar companies working with 3D imaging.

The small model is $600, although there are some Kickstarter deals available. The bigger screen starts at $3,000.

The small model is $600, although there are some Kickstarter deals available. The bigger screen starts at $3,000.

It uses a USB cable for power and an HDMI cable for video.

It uses a USB cable for power and an HDMI cable for video.

One of the most exciting things about the Looking Glass is that it will enable people who are interested in virtual reality and augmented reality to share their work without bulky, un-ergonomic headsets. A world where "everyone is going to be geared up — that's a dystopian future!," Frayne exclaimed.

One of the most exciting things about the Looking Glass is that it will enable people who are interested in virtual reality and augmented reality to share their work without bulky, un-ergonomic headsets. A world where "everyone is going to be geared up — that

He describes his company's thesis like this: Looking Glass is trying to take advantage of what he sees as the greatest technical direction in memory — the move to headsets sparked by Facebook's $2 billion purchase of Oculus. If he's right, the real world will be augmented by pieces of virtual space, little looking glasses, hopefully in people's homes.

If that's a future that appeals to you, or you're a 3D designer, you can pre-order your Looking Glass on Kickstarter. They're aiming to deliver them by December.

If that

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