What?
Innovation for Defence recently conducted a study to explore the possibilities of holographic technology within the Belgian Defence. The project focused on identifying the most suitable technologies for various applications, ranging from training and simulations to communication and operational planning. The emphasis was not on simply applying holographic technology, but on finding the most appropriate technology for a specific application.
Why?
Holograms may offer potential in various areas. However, not all technologies provide the same added value. Through systematic technology scouting and a thorough analysis of the fit between technology and use case, it can be ensured that innovations truly contribute to operational effectiveness.
How?
The approach in this project consisted of several phases:
Workshop use cases
Firstly, the most relevant application areas for a broad range of holographic (and related) technologies were identified with domain experts within Defence. This included training scenarios, operational planning, and communication.
Technology scouting
An extensive market exploration mapped out existing and emerging technologies. This included not only holography but also alternative technologies such as mixed reality and volumetric displays.
Analysis
The resulting heatmap showed the best match between application and technology, making the most suitable technologies easily visible. This outcome now enables the identification of technologies that can serve multiple applications and determines which technologies are most suitable for various use cases.
Outcome
The study demonstrated that there was no single technology that met all needs. While some systems excelled in visual accuracy, others offered better interaction with projections or higher mobility. Holography could sometimes be a solution, but not necessarily the best.
When organizing a workshop like this, it generates insights that will help Defence make targeted decisions about future investments and implementations.
