Scientists Develop Technology to Create Wi-Fi Holograms

Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a holographic imaging process that depicts the radiation of a Wi-Fi transmitter to generate three-dimensional images of the surrounding environment. While optical holograms require laser technology, generating holograms with the microwave radiation of a Wi-Fi transmitter requires only one fixed and one movable antenna. The researchers envision fields of deployment especially in automated industrial facilities, in which localizing parts and devices can be difficult. Processes that allow the localization of microwave radiation, even through walls, already exist. The novelty of the new technology from TUM is that an entire space can be imaged via holographic processing of Wi-Fi or cell phone signals.