Cortana Hologram

Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system features Cortana, a digital assistant, but what if a Halo-style, holographic version existed? Developer Jared Archer wondered just that, and decided to make it a reality. Simply put as possible, Archer’s wife stood in as the motion capture model for Cortana, and two Microsoft Kinect motion sensors were used to record her movements and apply them to the Cortana model in Unity. The 3D Cortana was created by utilizing the Pepper’s Ghost technique, along with three panes of mirror glass and a USB monitor. A 3D printer created the appliance, powered by a Windows 10 computer with 4GB of RAM, as well as an Arduino unit for controlling the lights. Lastly, a Unity 3D app transmits the image of “Cortana” from three different angles, while a front-facing camera tracks the viewer to ensure the assistant follows them. “It’s basically what I imagine Microsoft’s version of Alexa or Google Home would be like if they were to use the holographic sidekick from the Halo franchise,” said Archer. Click here to view the first image in today’s viral picture gallery. Continue reading for the five most popular viral videos today, including one showing ten movie mistakes that even digital effects couldn’t save.

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