“Beaming” people anywhere in the world with David Nussbaum of Proto

In this episode of How I Built This Lab, host Guy Raz talks to David Nussbaum, the founder of Proto, a groundbreaking company specializing in holographic communication technology. David's journey began in the early 2000s with podcasting, where he started a show with friends that eventually garnered attention from notable guests like Sam Simon.

Inspired by the 2012 hologram performance of Tupac Shakur at Coachella, David began exploring the potential of holographic technology. Teaming up with innovators in the field, he secured patents and started a venture focused on holographic concerts featuring legendary artists. However, David soon pivoted away from digital resurrection concerts to create Proto, aiming to connect living people in real-time using holographic presence.

Proto's device, at first bulky, is designed to beam live, 3D images of people into remote locations, creating a more immersive communication experience than traditional video calls. Its applications are diverse, ranging from healthcare education to unique advertising experiences. As the technology evolves, David plans to develop smaller, more affordable models suitable for everyday use by consumers. The goal is to bring a sense of presence and interactivity to personal communication, making it a significant advancement in how we connect with one another.