The Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute and Its Latest Innovations

During two events in December, members of German-American Business Association GABA and the Silicon Valley tech community received a rare look inside one of Germany’s R&D powerhouses – the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI). 

3-D Without Wearing Glasses

The Interactive Media group demonstrated several 3D displays that do not require any special glasses for the viewer.   This is accomplished by tracking the viewer’s eye position and mechanically adjusting the 3D filters within the display to optimize the viewing angle as the viewer’s position shifts continuously.  Another interesting demonstration showed how touchless gesture control can be used to play a video game or interact with an informational kiosk.

The Image Processing group described the immersive experience of 7 HD displays stitched together, providing a 180 degree field of view with 3D sound.   There is no better way to watch the German national soccer team, except being there, of course!  Another project, named the “virtual mirror”, provides an augmented reality display which can be useful when trying on new shoes or a new suit, without requiring the specific merchandise to be on hand.

Gesture Controll and Virtual Mirror

It was exciting to see the researchers describe what is possible already now and in the future.  The possible applications of this research are endless – ranging from the medical field, to consumer technology, to information services.

The HHI is part of the Fraunhofer Association, which comprises 60 institutes in Germany and other parts of the world, offering research services to industry and government.   For its part, HHI employs over 220 scientists plus approximately 130 students, with a total research budget of € 26M.     Its primary focus is communication networks and image processing, with special emphasis on interactive media, mobile broadband, photonic networks and components, and fiber optical sensor systems.   FHHI staff has been honored with two Emmys for their contributions to the H.264 video format.

The HHI is interested in sharing its technology and R&D capabilities with interested companies in the Silicon Valley.   Engagements can be short, medium, or long-term, ranging from straight technology licensing deals to joint research projects or even establishing joint spinoff ventures.

Happy Holidays!

Steffen Bartschat – Co-Chair, GABA Software Industry Group
http://www.linkedin.com/in/bartschat

For more information about the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute, see their website or join them at one of the following occasions:

CES, Las Vegas, NV, 07.-10. JAN 2010 and NAB, Las Vegas, NV, 12.-15. APR 2010
Contact: Jürgen Rurainsky, rurainsky@hhi.fraunhofer.de , +491735449185

Web2.0, San Francisco, CA, 03.-06. MAY 2010
Contact: Michael Witte, Head Strategic Marketing michael.witte@hhi.fraunhofer.de

Photonics West, San Francisco, CA, 26.-28. JAN 2010 hall north, booth 4601
Contact: Dr. Joachim Giesekus, joachim.giesekus@hhi.fraunhofer.de, +4916093973493

OFC/NFOEC, San Diego, CA, 23.-25. MAR 2010
Contact: Wolfgang Schlaak, schlaak@hhi.fraunhofer.de

Siggraph, Los Angeles, CA, 27.-29. JUL 2010
Contact: Jürgen Rurainsky, rurainsky@hhi.fraunhofer.de, +491735449185