# Mixed-Reality Benches Disney's 'Magic Bench' Offers a New Way to Interact with 3D Characters By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2017-08-16 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magic-bench References: [3ders.org](http://www.3ders.org/articles/20170807-disneys-new-magic-bench-arvr-technology-lets-you-interact-with-3d-characters-without-a-headset.html) & [disneyresearch](https://www.disneyresearch.com/publication/magic-bench/) At SIGGRAPH 2017 in Los Angeles, [Disney](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magicband) debuted a new technology called the 'Magic Bench,' which introduces a new way for people to interact with 3D characters without having to put on a headset for a [mixed reality experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vision-discovery). When the Magic Bench is set up in a room with sensors that detect colors and depth, it is able to bring 3D characters to life on a large-scale screen that is positioned directly in front of the bench. While some experiences make it possible for users to be handed a ball by an elephant, others involve frogs responding to a user's attempts to create contact. While there are many VR and AR experiences that are offered to consumers, most of them can be disrupted by the barriers of technology, such as [bulky headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-for-dream), which remove the immersive nature and magic of mixed-reality interactions. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 24% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Non-headset Mixed Reality:** Opportunity to disrupt VR and AR experiences by offering mixed-reality interactions without bulky headsets. - **Large-scale Mixed Reality:** Opportunity to create large-scale mixed-reality experiences using sensor technology to bring 3D characters to life. - **Multi-sensory Mixed Reality:** Opportunity to integrate more senses into mixed-reality experiences to make them feel more immersive and magical. ### Where This Applies - **Entertainment:** Opportunity to enhance entertainment experiences by offering non-headset mixed reality interactions. - **Theme Parks:** Opportunity to create large-scale mixed-reality experiences for theme park visitors using sensor technology. - **Education:** Opportunity to make education more immersive and engaging by incorporating multi-sensory mixed-reality experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Three-Dimensional Mixed-Reality Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/looking-glass-1.md) - [Mixed-Reality Blood Donations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mixed-reality-experience.md) - [AI-Powered Mixed Reality Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kreativ.md) - [Touch-Reactive VR Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/presence-in-bed.md) - [Tactile Bare-Hands Metaverse Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emerge.md) - [Hyper-Realistic Holograms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solidlight.md) - [Immersive Holographic Zoos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hologram-zoo.md) - [Mixed Reality Storytelling](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storytelling-xr.md) - [Interactive Virtual Meeting Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microsoft-mesh.md)