Remember R2D2 beaming Princess Lea in mid-air? A few companies worldwide have been working hard into making this technology a reality with a couple of different approaches which we will investigate here.

Whatever the approach, the principle is always the same and based on the concept of holography. To create a holographic projection the subject is initially filmed against a blue screen and then rear-projected onto a special screen using a standard video projector. The special properties of the screen 'catches' the light projected at a specific angle resulting in the actual image being projected towards the viewer.

Two screen options are currently available:

1. Transparent film on glass
2. Walk-through 'mist particles' screen (in the above picture at the Disney Enchanted experience)

The result is a stunning crowd-pulling attraction ideal for a story-led visitor experience. Have a look at http://www.multimedia-instruction.com/main_pages/museums.htm to see them in action at the Michael Cusack Centre, Carron, Co. Clare.

At MMID we pride ourselves on the strong relationships we have forged with our suppliers over the years. In 2008, MMID signed a dealer agreement with French Manufacturer of Audio-Visual equipment for Museums and Exhibitions. The RSF range include sturdy audio tour devices with an autonomy of one whole year on just two AA rechargeable batteries! The devices are in use worldwide in prestigious sites such as Stonhenge or The Palace of Westminster in the UK.

Other equipment by RSF include reliable solid-state video and audio players as well as hardware-based show controllers. For more info about the RSF product range, please visit http://www.rsf-int.com

By now, everyone is familiar with touch screen technologies, in use in everything from ticket dispensers to mobile phone. Museums are no stranger to touch-screens either, having embraced the technology over a decade ago.

So what's new? Multi-touch is set to revolutionise interactive displays in Museums. Already available from a few manufacturer using purpose made kits, multi-touch technology is to be included as a standard feature with the next version of Microsoft Windows - considerable lowering the technology's entry costs. Multi-touch technology allows multiple user to interact with a multimedia presentation simultaneously. An existinglarge screen TV can even be retrofitted into a new state of the art multi-touch display. Possibilities are endless, from interactive multi-user information point to full size interactive video wall or floor.

Lifetime Lab, on the banks of the River Lee, is a unique attraction for visitors of all ages with its modern interactive exhibition, themed playground, beautifully restored buildings and equipment and scenic views over the River Lee.

Lifetime Lab approached MMID in 2008 to restore the Dutch-produced interactive installations (which consist of two life-size 'Teletubbies-like' educational machines) back to their original state and make some of the existing stations more user friendly.

The restoration included electronics repairs, working on improving excising installations, graphic design and production of new display panels. Having all the capabilities now available locally in Ireland means that Lifetime Lab don't have to fly the original engineers over from the Netherlands anymore with the obvious savings that this represents.