Andotrope
A device for viewing 2D video from any direction.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The Andotrope is a device for watching two-dimensional video from any angle, unlike standard screens that restrict the viewer to a fixed perspective. Its name combines its creator, Mike Ando, with the suffix -trope, derived from the Ancient Greek word for "turning." Ando conceived the idea in 2022 while preparing a project for Mysterium 2023: a replica of Gehn’s Holographic Imager from the game *Riven – The Sequel to Myst*. Though modeled after that fictional device, the Andotrope is technically distinct because it does not produce a three-dimensional hologram.
Ando describes his invention as updating "a 150-year-old children’s toy into the 21st century." Its operation resembles a zoetrope but differs in several technical aspects. The device consists of a cylindrical housing that holds at least one fixed screen. Each screen is visible through a slot cut into the cylinder. When two or more screens are used, their content must be synchronized to display the same image simultaneously. The cylinder sits on a rotating electric turntable, which creates a stroboscopic effect similar to a film projector, turning a linear image sequence into smooth video. Ando reports that the device can spin at up to 1200 revolutions per minute, and with two screens it can show video at roughly 40 frames per second. He notes that the screens must meet specific requirements: no flickering, high brightness, and strong resistance to withstand the high rotation speed.
The Andotrope has received generally positive media coverage. The Australian magazine *Diyode* published an interview with Ando about the device and its development. The German magazine *Coolsten* also featured it. In November 2024, the YouTube channel *The Action Lab* released a video demonstrating how to build an Andotrope using 3D printing and two smartphones.
- inventor
- Mike Ando
- field
- Display technology
- known_for
- Inventing the Andotrope
- year_of_idea
- 2022
- related_work
- Recreation of Gehn’s Holographic Imager from Riven
Lore & Background
The Andotrope is a replica of Gehn’s Holographic Imager from the game Riven – The Sequel to Myst, but differs technically in that the image is not a three-dimensional hologram. According to Ando, the device updates 'a 150-year-old children’s toy into the 21st century.' Its functionality is similar to a Zoetrope, but differs technically on several key points.
The device is built from a cylindrical housing containing at least one fixed screen. The cylinder has a slot for each screen that allows it to be viewed from outside. When at least two screens are used, the content must be synchronized to show the same image at the same time. The case is attached to a rotating electric turntable to create the stroboscopic effect of a film projector, whereby a linear sequence of images becomes a fluid video. Ando states that his device can reach 1200 revolutions per minute, and with two screens, can show a video at approximately 40 frames per second.
Important requirements for the screens are: no flickering, high brightness, and strong resistance due to high rotation speed. The invention was met with a generally positive reception. The Australian Diyode Magazine published an interview with Ando covering the device and process of its invention. The German magazine Coolsten also covered the Andotrope. The YouTube channel The Action Lab released a video in November 2024 covering the use of 3D printing and two smartphones in creating its own Andotrope.
Reader's Guide
The Andotrope represents a novel approach to displaying two-dimensional video without the perspective limitations of conventional screens. By adapting the principle of a Zoetrope—a 150-year-old children’s toy—into a high-speed rotating cylinder with synchronized screens, Mike Ando created a device that produces a fluid video visible from any direction. The technical requirements, such as flicker-free, bright, and durable screens, highlight the engineering challenges overcome to achieve 1200 revolutions per minute and approximately 40 frames per second with two screens.
Its significance lies in bridging historical optical toys with modern digital displays, offering a unique viewing experience that has attracted media attention from outlets like Diyode Magazine and Coolsten, as well as a DIY recreation by The Action Lab using 3D printing and smartphones. The Andotrope’s legacy is tied to its inspiration from the fictional Gehn’s Holographic Imager in Riven, demonstrating how game design can spur real-world invention. While not a hologram, it provides a tangible, rotating display that updates a classic concept for contemporary audiences.
Did You Know?
- The name Andotrope combines the inventor's surname, Mike Ando, with the Ancient Greek suffix -trope meaning 'turning'.
- The idea for the Andotrope came to Mike Ando in 2022 while working on a project for Mysterium 2023.
- The device can reach 1200 revolutions per minute and show video at approximately 40 frames per second when using two screens.
- The YouTube channel The Action Lab released a video in November 2024 showing how to create an Andotrope using 3D printing and two smartphones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Andotrope?
The Andotrope is a display device that lets viewers watch flat, two-dimensional video from any direction around the screen, rather than being locked into one fixed viewing angle like a conventional monitor.
Who created the Andotrope?
Australian inventor Mike Ando came up with the concept in 2022 while preparing a project for the Mysterium 2023 event.
How does the Andotrope differ from a hologram?
Despite its design lineage from the Holographic Imager in Riven, the Andotrope does not project a three-dimensional image; it simply allows a standard 2D video to be seen clearly from multiple angles around the unit.
Where does the name "Andotrope" come from?
It is a blend of the creator's surname, Ando, and the Greek suffix -trope meaning "turning," a nod to the device's ability to let the picture be viewed from every side.
What inspired Mike Ando to build the Andotrope?
He was constructing a working replica of Gehn's Holographic Imager from the game Riven – The Sequel to Myst for the Mysterium 2023 showcase, and that project led him to develop the Andotrope as a technically distinct, non-holographic solution.
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