AcoustiLux Acoustic Holographic Display Launches: Sculpting 3D Images in Air with Sound Waves

AcoustiLux Acoustic Holographic Display Launches: Sculpting 3D Images in Air with Sound Waves

Japanese Tokyo-based startup SonicVision today officially launched the AcoustiLux consumer-grade acoustic holographic display, which uses an array of 1,024 ultrasonic transducers to generate naked-eye 3D images in air that can be viewed from any angle and even physically touched. The device is priced at $2,999 and accepts pre-orders starting today.

AcoustiLux operates on the principle of acoustic radiation force—by precisely controlling the phase and amplitude of ultrasonic waves, standing wave nodes form at specific points in air, causing air molecules to cluster and produce perceptible tactile feedback. Combined with a micro-projection system, these standing wave nodes simultaneously serve as scattering media for the image and tactile feedback points.

SonicVision CEO Kentaro Tanaka demonstrated multiple use cases at the Tokyo launch event: architects rotating and touching building models in mid-air, surgeons manipulating 3D organ images before procedures, and gamers physically interacting with virtual characters.

"This is a paradigm leap in display technology," Tanaka said. "Previous holographic technology only let you see 3D images. AcoustiLux lets you see and touch them simultaneously. The human brain develops stronger trust and immersion with objects it can physically touch."

AcoustiLux's core technology stems from a decade of research at the University of Tokyo's Acoustical Engineering Laboratory. The system features a 40-centimeter cubic display volume with a resolution of 8 voxels per centimeter and tactile feedback precision of 0.5 millimeters. The device connects to PCs or mobile devices via USB-C and supports real-time rendering from major 3D modeling software.

However, AcoustiLux has significant limitations. The display volume is confined to a 40-centimeter cube, and tactile feedback quality degrades significantly when ambient noise exceeds 60 decibels. Additionally, the health effects of prolonged exposure to high-intensity ultrasonic waves remain under study.

Kenji Tanaka, Chief Researcher at Sony's Research Institute, commented: "Acoustic holography is an exciting technology, but the $2,999 price point and limited display volume mean it's currently better suited for professional scenarios than mass consumption. The real challenge is scaling the display volume to room-sized dimensions."

SonicVision has announced an $180 million Series B funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund, with plans to release a second-generation product in 2029 featuring a 1-meter cubic display volume and a price reduction to $999.