For all the excitement over AI, high-speed, low-latency networks and sustainable technology, you sometimes have to ask the question: what is it all for?

One answer surely has to be: beauty.

What we sometimes call "The finer things in life." The enjoyment found in being one of several billion human beings on the planet, sharing in our common culture and viewing objects made with skill, care and talent.

One of the most popular exhibits at Upgrade 2024 featured a new and beautiful way of presenting images: the "Kirameki" display technology.

Kirameki is a Japanese word that means sparkle. And there's no better way of describing this technology. Kirameki focuses on capturing the natural sparkle and texture of objects, which varies with the angle from which they are viewed. The technology's texture reproduction offers a new level of visual experience that goes far beyond traditional displays. It really has to be seen to be believed. Visitors to Upgrade 2024 had the opportunity to look up close at the images displayed using the technology. Although shown on two-dimensional screens, the amount of image detail, color contrast and the way the light fell on the objects shown gave a genuine sense of three dimensions.

Kirameki, which is designed to represent the real texture of materials, is built on light field display (LFD) technology. Instead of conventional display systems that allow you to only see light reflection from a single point, LFD tech reflects light from multiple angles. This allows the viewer to see different perspectives of the image as they move around, making it look three-dimensional and very realistic. Because light is projected in many different directions and carries just as much color and intensity data, viewers can see slightly different images of the same item depending on which angle they look from. It almost feels like you can touch the object coming out of the screen.

Kirameki is also specialized for texture representation. Whether it's the smoothness of silk, the glossiness of glass, or the grainy texture of concrete, the display mimics how light interacts with surfaces to provide a highly realistic representation of material texture.
　You know how you can often take a picture of an object that looks incredible in real life, but once it gets digitized it seems to lose a certain something? In San Francisco, Kirameki—developed in cooperation with Innolux Japan—delivered images that looked just as vivid, full of color and exciting as the real-life objects in front of visitors' eyes.

Kirameki employs a new algorithm and special display techniques, including advanced imaging methods and ray calculations. One of the technology's standout features is its high resolution and light fidelity, allowing it to accurately reproduce different colors, as well as the varying brightness levels of materials. This ensures that the display can reflect the true essence of the materials being shown, offering a visual experience that is both realistic and dynamic.

Kirameki's ability to reproduce the natural sparkle and texture of objects opens up new possibilities in a number of fields, from art and design to advertising. Its accurate representation of textures and colors can bring artworks to life, offering viewers a more profound appreciation of the pieces they are viewing. In advertising, meanwhile, Kirameki can enhance visuals, making advertisements more realistic and engaging. Jewelry and luxury goods can be shown in a way that does them justice. Meanwhile, food can be genuinely mouth-watering.

NTT isn't done yet. Technological advancements in the Kirameki display will continue, with ongoing improvements in resolution, color accuracy, and overall visual experience. There is also huge potential for expansion into other fields such as virtual reality, gaming, and medical imaging, where high-fidelity displays can improve user experiences and outcomes.

It's no wonder the Kirameki exhibition attracted crowds at Upgrade 2024—the wows and gasps it received were testament to its impact. NTT plans for the rest of the world to experience the technology soon.

Kirameki promises to change how we interact with visual content and pave the way for even more immersive and engaging visual experiences. It also gives an insight into the soul of NTT Group. In a world of function and practicality, Kirameki is a reminder of the importance of beauty.

For more details about the Upgrade 2024 event, please see this link:
https://ntt-research.com/upgrade/

Our first Upgrade 2024 article introduced the event and explained the peace of mind coming from our Autonomous Closed-Loop Intervention System (ACIS) technology. You can see it here.

Next time, find out about kindness through technology: NTT's Connected-AI system.

Upgrade 2024: Beauty through Technology

Daniel O'Connor

Daniel O'Connor joined the NTT Group in 1999 when he began work as the Public Relations Manager of NTT Europe. While in London, he liaised with the local press, created the company's intranet site, wrote technical copy for industry magazines and managed exhibition stands from initial design to finished displays.

Later seconded to the headquarters of NTT Communications in Tokyo, he contributed to the company's first-ever winning of global telecoms awards and the digitalisation of internal company information exchange.

Since 2015 Daniel has created content for the Group's Global Leadership Institute, the One NTT Network and is currently working with NTT R&D teams to grow public understanding of the cutting-edge research undertaken by the NTT Group.