Today the City of Jacksonville debuted a new, cutting-edge holographic communication platform at Jacksonville International Airport that features an incredibly lifelike, 3D “hologram” welcoming message for travelers from Mayor Donna Deegan. 

And thanks to AI technology, the message can be viewed not only in English, but in dozens of other languages as well.  This marks one of the first times a major U.S. city has used this type of holographic communication in a public space.

“It’s incredibly exciting to debut this message at JAX, and just in time for the holidays,” said Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “This continues the City of Jacksonville’s commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology that can be deployed in a myriad of ways to both improve communication, and better the lives of our citizens.”

The life-sized hologram device from U.S. startup Proto shows video that is so realistic it appears as if there is actually a person inside the 7-foot-tall machine. The hologram also has interactive capabilities and can send and receive live feeds.

Deplaning passengers will see and hear the mayor deliver the message from inside a large, physical box that’s situated just outside airport security in a central courtyard before travelers descend to baggage claim. The message is also delivered in Spanish and multiple other languages.

“We are thrilled that JAX, in partnership with the city will be one of the first airports in the nation to debut this amazing technology,” said Jacksonville Aviation Authority CEO Mark VanLoh. “We are proud of our reputation as one of the most welcoming airports in the United States, and the mayor’s new hologram is sure to surprise and delight travelers exploring our region whether they’re traveling here for the first time or coming home for the holidays.”

In addition to pre-recorded messages, Proto boxes can feature live subjects that can be “beamed in” real-time from any camera or mobile phone to any Proto device anywhere in the world. The technology has already been used by Fortune 500 companies, major league sports franchises, and celebrities, along with universities and medical centers. Although the images the box displays aren’t technically holograms, by adding shadows behind the body and reflections under the feet, the box effectively tricks the brain into believing there could be someone inside it.

The Proto Box is sponsored by JAXEPICS as the City of Jacksonville continues to drive becoming the Small Business Capital Center of the South by streamlining the permitting process.