Hologram business brings cutting edge technology to Boardman

From Star Trek to the floor of Congress, "beam me up" is a phrase that usually implies something too futuristic to be believed. But a Boardman company's partnership with a California firm is about to make it a reality.

Proto Hologram's technology is like something out of a sci-fi movie. Devices that project lifelike 3D images so real it feels like you can reach out and touch them.
Boardman's newest company Futuristix, located at 8301 Market St. will be its newest distributors.

The device's live-beam feature allows people to talk to each other in real time no matter the location. The feature works with the Proto Hologram app. 

"So the idea of proto was born in my living room about five to six year s ago with the intention that anybody should be able to be able to beam anywhere anytime for any reason," Founder of Proto Hologram, David Nussbaum said.

When 21 News took a tour of the facility Tuesday afternoon one investor, Howie Mandel beamed in live from Los Angeles. He told 21 News after seeing the device on social media, he knew the cutting edge technology was something worth investing in. 

"I saw this I said 'oh my gosh this is the future.' I just want to be a part of this." Mandel said. 

The team at Futuristix plans on selling three different styles of the device which comes with Artificial intelligence capabilities.

This technology is available to the public, and can be viewed in the Futuristix show room in the coming weeks. It won't come cheap, however. Each unit costs anywhere from $7,000 to $30,000, although the company plans to offer rental options also.