Researchers at the University of Tokyo’s Ishikawa Komuro Laboratory are demonstrating their “Volume Slicing Display” at SIGGRAPH2009 Asia (they were demonstrating it at SIGGRAPH2009 in New Orleans as well, I think) which combines Augmented Reality tracking markers with calibrated projectors to turn any flat surface into a slicing plane in a 3D world.

Currently meant for medical staff & radiologists viewing 3D datasets (MRI’s, CT’s, etc) in a more interactive means than on a computer display, it’s a great demo with a few physical limitations:

  • Limited working space (only within the projected & calibrated volume)
  • Arm Fatigue (holding a plate perfectly stead in space for viewing)

Other than that, it shows great promise.  Add in more projectors to increase the workable space, and some interaction methods to allow the user to “lock” the display so they can set it down somewhere or lock it into a traditional lightbox on the wall, and I can see it getting some use.

Volume Slicing Display (PDF) via Volume Slicing Display affords untethered 3D views | Crave – CNET.