Panasonic turns air conditioning into screens to beat the Japanese heat

Panasonic is reinventing the use of outdoor air conditioning, turning it into a medium for art installations and innovative digital displays. The “Silky Fine Mist” system uses a combination of pressurized water and compressed air to create a mist so fine (six to ten microns) that it is imperceptible to the touch. Introduced in 2019, the system has been adopted in train stations and public facilities across Japan, primarily as a solution to combat the heat. However, Panasonic has been quick to recognize the artistic potential of air conditioning, experimenting with visual installations using its technology since 2018.

More recently, the company unveiled a chilled-air projector, demonstrating the technology’s potential for digital signage. While the system isn’t particularly portable—the North American version weighs nearly 440 pounds and consumes 2.4 kilowatts of power—the visual effect is impressive: the fog can create very sharp images. The technology isn’t entirely new, recalling transparent displays seen in the past and shows like Disneyland’s “World of Color,” which projected images onto water screens. However, Panasonic’s approach offers a unique tactile experience, allowing you to literally “touch” the projected images.