A Panasonic product that sprays displays into the air

Panasonic’s “Silky Fine Mist,” initially developed to combat Japan’s summer heat, is now being repurposed for digital displays.

The mist, created using pressurized water and air, is fine enough (six to ten microns) to be imperceptible to touch, making it ideal for outdoor cooling. Since its 2019 debut, the system has been widely adopted in train stations and public facilities across Japan.

Recently, Panasonic has taken the innovation further by incorporating projection mapping. By projecting images onto the mist, the company is transforming it into a transparent display for art installations and digital signage.

First tested in 2018, the mist displays have been showcased at technology expos, offering a cooler, touchable alternative to traditional projections.

However, the system’s portability may be limited—Panasonic’s North American model weighs 420 pounds and consumes 2.4 kilowatts of power.

Despite this, it brings a new twist to transparent displays, similar to Disneyland’s “World of Color” but with an interactive, hands-on appeal.