Acer SpatialLabs Tech Turns Laptop Screens Into Holographic Displays

Acer claims it’s created a way to display holographic 3D images from a laptop.

The technology is called “SpatialLabs,” and it promises to help graphic artists better visualize their creations. The PC maker plans to debut the system on Thursday, ahead of Computex, using a specialized Acer ConceptD notebook. 

The system works by leveraging a stereoscopic 3D display, an eye-tracking camera, and real-time rendering technologies on the PC. Combined together, the technologies can create the illusion that objects are emerging from the display.

“Content literally floats in front of the screen, allowing creators to examine their creations in real-time and 360 degrees—without the need for specialized glasses,” Acer says. 

We’re reserving judgement until we can see the technology for ourselves in-person. Due to COVID-19, this year’s Computex show is a virtual gathering. In the meantime, Acer has released a video that tries to simulate how the 3D images from the laptop would look to the actual user.

According to Acer, the eye-tracking occurs at the top of the laptop, which is outfitted with a two-lens stereo camera that can track your head and eyes as you move around the laptop. The laptop then takes this information, and uses the stereoscopic 3D display to generate different angles to the image to each of your eyes. 

Pricing was not disclosed. But Acer sees an opportunity to sell the technology to 3D artists, who are often restricted to viewing their creations on a conventional PC monitor.

“The SpatialLabs Model Viewer eliminates this limitation by providing an additional dimension for designers to work with, right out of the box,” the company said. For regular work routines, the laptop’s 3D stereoscopic panel can also switch back to a 2D views, turning the device into a normal notebook.  

Acer plans to first offer the technology to Unreal Engine game developers through a SpatialLabs developer program. 

“Those enrolled in the program will receive a ConceptDSpatialLabs prototype notebook, the first realization of the new experience,” Acer said. The application process for the program closes on June 30. The ConceptD prototype notebooks will then be offered to the winning applicants free of charge for the first three months.