ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Autostereoscopy

Have you ever watched a 3D movie wearing those cool glasses that make the images pop out and come to life? Well, autostereoscopy is a technology that lets you see 3D images without the need for those glasses.

Imagine a piece of paper with a picture on it. Normally, we can only see the picture as flat and two-dimensional (2D), like when you look at a cartoon. However, with autostereoscopy, you can see the picture with an illusion of depth so that it looks like real life.

Here's how it works:

Like your eyes, your brain senses depth by comparing the images received from both your left and right eyes. Autostereoscopy uses a screen with a special filter that displays two separate images at the same time, one for each eye. This creates a slight difference between what your left and right eyes see, and your brain interprets those differences to create the illusion of a 3D image.

Think of it like a magical pair of glasses built into the screen that only you can see. You can move around and see the image from different angles, just like when you look at a real object.

Autostereoscopy is now used in various types of devices, such as 3D TVs, smartphones, and handheld gaming consoles. With this technology, you can enjoy 3D images without having to wear any special glasses or accessories, which makes it extra fun and convenient!