Japanese researchers have come out with a technology by which one can squash or stretch the images that come out of the TV screen on a 3D TV set.

For demonstration purpose the image of the earth in 3D format was pressed and then like an elastic ball was stretched across the screen of the TV.

As reported in the Daily Mail the technology uses six cameras with motion detecting capability and then miniaturized clips attached to the fingers of the viewer. The sensors vibrate when they come in contact with the image.

To cater for blind spots the camera are placed at an angular plane.

Scientists from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology ( NIAIST) in Japan are the people behind the device named as i3Space.

Reports from a spokesman of the institute mentioned “This system recognizes the user’s behavior and offers tactile feedback and the illusion of using the tactile sense of force. It is the first time you can feel images in the air.”

The usage of this device would be well utilized by surgeons when they can practice their techniques before the actual operation and also the potential of this technology would take gaming to a new level all together. They expect that Star Trek-style ‘holodeck’ would one day turn out to be a reality.

The device has been built about a unit named GyroCubeSensuous, that has been developed by the same institute in 2005. Using the gyroscopic and rotary forceback properties of this device one could simulate the sensations of push, draw and buoyancy for real.

The technology would be presented in the ‘CEDEC 2010′ event which is Japan’s Biggest Conference for Game Developers to be held in September.