Assertion Not checkable as stated
Nussbaum claims Proto built the first interactive volumetric telepresence holograms.
“Like, the work that I'm in right now is difficult, because I'm the first in the world to sort of do what I'm doing now.”
Prediction Partly held up
Proto will halve the price of its flagship ProtoEpic device within months.
“In the next several months, I will be able to cut that price in half.”
Assertion Supported
Proto integrates AI avatars and Proto-GPT for multilingual holographic bots.
“I can walk up to a device right now, and I've got a proto-GPT. I've got dozens of avatars, different types of people, a doctor bot, a concierge bot. I've got people that look like celebrities in their voices. I can talk to them. They can talk back to me in any…”
Disclosure
Proto requires total consent and direct involvement for all holographic AI likenesses.
“We don't do anything without total consent over the, whoever it is that we're working with. All of our customers, partners are all involved in the manufacturing of whatever the projections are.”
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Nussbaum predicts holographic salespeople will soon greet and assist retail shoppers.
“I believe this is the future of when you walk into a mall, when you walk into a store, You will be approached by a holographic salesperson. You will be able to see the product that you want, and it'll come to life before you, and I think the ability to interac…”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Historical Pepper's Ghost holograms cost hundreds of thousands per show.
“You're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars to do a single show, which is why you had to be Michael Jackson or Tupac Or Elvis to be a hologram, because you have to sell tickets to that, because you need to fill a room, and you'd be lucky to even brea…”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Proto's initial live hologram MVP was built using off-the-shelf 4K cameras.
“We had a small studio capture kit set up. It was a small regular off the shelf, four K camera in a locked off position. I had a white psych wall behind me. The cycle was made out of a roll of paper... I used a light to cast a shadow, a plexiglass floor to crea…”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Nussbaum: Proto devices are used in about 30 colleges and universities
“We're in about 30 colleges and universities right now.”
Assertion Open · timeframe Mar 2025
Nussbaum: Proto technology can broadcast to thousands of locations simultaneously
“There's everything that you would need to hear, see, and interact with your audience, or audiences, because our technology, you can beam into
Thousands of locations at the same time.”
Assertion Supported
Proto beamed William Shatner live to a keynote in Sydney
“Right before we beamed Howie to CES, we beamed the man who made beaming people places famous, Mr. William Shatner. He had a job to do. He had a keynote speech to give on stage in Sydney, Australia, 8000 miles away from where he lives.”
Disclosure
Nussbaum: Proto's goal is a consumer holographic device under $1,000
“But my plan, the goal with Proto is to have a consumer device under a thousand dollars.”
Assertion Supported
Proto allows users to beam volumetric video using standard smartphones.
“So yes, you can beam into a proto right now Using your iPhone or any smartphone, you don't need to have a special camera.”
Assertion Supported
Nussbaum's previous firm held hologram rights to Bernie Mac and Judy Garland.
“We did do Billie Holiday and Jackie Wilson and Whitney Houston, but I mean, some of the names that we never got to, we had at one point, my old company had the rights to Bernie Mac, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Red Foxx, Andy Kaufman, Liberace.”
Disclosure
Nussbaum: Proto was funded with personal savings after initial angel money
“Everything beyond the Mike Bickell money, it was my own money. It was everything that I'd saved”
Assertion Supported
Nussbaum: Proto's miniature tabletop display costs around $6,000
“The miniature tabletop device is around 6000 dollars.”
