Inspiration

I created Holoreel to introduce holographic content to a wider audience through natural, user-centered hand-gesture interaction. As spatial computing evolves, I saw a gap: holograms were exciting, but still too technical or inaccessible for everyday users. I wanted to combine the ease and familiarity of TikTok or Instagram Reels with immersive XR, allowing people to simply use their hands to explore holographic media. My goal was to democratize holographic experiences and turn them into something social, intuitive, and fun.

What it does

Holoreel is my attempt to build a holographic content platform that works like TikTok or Instagram Reels, but redesigned for XR. Users can browse a feed of holograms using simple hand gestures, view looping 3D scenes, and interact with content alone or in a multiplayer session with their friends. Everything runs directly in the browser, so people can instantly access holographic content without installing a native app. Holoreel lets anyone experience, explore, and enjoy holograms in a way that feels natural, familiar, and shareable.

How I built it

I built Holoreel using TypeScript and JavaScript, leveraging WebXR and Three.js to enable real-time holographic rendering in the browser. I designed a hand-gesture navigation system that makes browsing the hologram feed feel intuitive. I also developed the feed architecture, content loader, and scene-composition system to ensure smooth performance on standalone headsets like Meta Quest. For the multiplayer mode, I integrated real-time synchronization so users can explore holograms together. Throughout the process, I focused on modularity, quick iteration, and maintaining a clean foundation for future expansion.

Challenges I ran into

One of the biggest challenges I faced was achieving smooth XR performance in a browser environment. Rendering holograms while maintaining responsiveness required significant optimization. Designing reliable and intuitive hand-gesture interactions was also challenging, especially since gesture detection varies between users and conditions. I encountered compatibility issues across different devices and had to fine-tune asset loading, memory usage, and multiplayer synchronization. Each of these challenges pushed me to refine both the technical and user-experience aspects of the platform.

Accomplishments I’m proud of

I’m proud that I was able to create a holographic feed that captures the simplicity of social media inside XR. Building a fluid, gesture-based browsing system—and having it feel natural—was a major achievement. I’m also proud of developing a multiplayer mode that allows users to explore holograms together in real time. Accomplishing all of this with a fully web-based approach, without requiring a native app, is something I consider a significant milestone.

What I learned

Throughout this project, I learned how to optimize WebXR rendering, design effective spatial interactions, and create a scalable architecture for immersive content. I deepened my understanding of gesture input, real-time networking, asset streaming, and XR performance constraints. Holoreel taught me how to balance visual impact with accessibility and usability.

What’s next for Holoreel

Next, I plan to add AI-generated holograms, creator tools for making holographic Reels, richer gesture interactions, and enhanced multiplayer spaces. My long-term vision is to grow Holoreel into a global holographic content network where anyone can create, share, and explore immersive experiences effortlessly.

Built With

• javascript
• typescript