Japanese company Vinclu has proposed a digital hologram assistant for the home called Gatebox, previewing the device in a new video.

The company wants to bring some personality to users' homes with the digital assistant, CNet reports. Like Amazon's Echo and other assistant technology, Vinclu's system would answer questions and perform tasks.

But unlike alternative tech, users could actually see this assistant, projected as a hologram, letting homeowners interact with their connected home a little more deeply.

Controls Home Devices

The technology would work with the user's connected home devices in the greater Internet of Things. This means it could control the lights, heating and cooling, and stereo systems, among other hardware.

The goal of the Gatebox is to connect people to the digital world, allowing them to interact with it in a straightforward way. This product brings humans closer to living and working with robots and computers.

Assistant Gets to Know Its Owner

The Gatebox will try to get to know its "owner" by getting used to certain habits and trends. For instance, if the user normally comes home at work around 5 p.m., the device will adjust the lights and thermostat so that the home is ready for the owner's arrival.

The Gatebox will be a small device that sits on a table. It will have a middle "chamber" where the hologram lives. It appears in the video like a combination lantern and coffee maker.

The preview shows that an original anime-like character named Azuma will come with the Gatebox. Some users may not like that option, so Vinclu plans to add more characters in the future.

The Gatebox is still in the testing stages. The company is hoping backers will support their efforts so it can start shipping out the device sooner than later.

Watch the video of a man coming home from work and interacting with the Gatebox. He is able to get out of the shower and have her turn on the TV for him. The next day she calmly wakes him up.

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