Designed for Japan’s summer heat, Panasonic’s “Silky Fine Mist” is now being adapted for digital displays.
The mist, formed by pressurized water and air, has particles sized between six to ten microns, making it undetectable by touch. This feature has made it a popular choice for outdoor cooling since its introduction in 2019. Its widespread implementation includes train stations and public venues throughout Japan.
Panasonic has integrated projection mapping, transforming the mist into a transparent display for art and digital signage. The adaptation allows images to be projected onto the mist and creates visually captivating displays.
Nevertheless, the system’s size and energy requirements pose challenges. The North American version weighs 420 pounds and requires 2.4 kilowatts of power, which may limit its portability.
Despite these limitations, Panasonic’s innovative use of mist offers a novel approach to transparent displays, akin to the interactive experiences seen in Disneyland’s “World of Color”.