Invisibility cloaks may not be such a fantasy

Invisibility cloaks may be the stuff of fantasy in Harry Potter adventures but "optical camouflage" technology being developed at the University of Tokyo comes startlingly close to making them a reality.

Invisibility cloaks may be the stuff of fantasy in Harry Potter adventures but "optical camouflage" technology being developed at the University of Tokyo comes startlingly close to making them a reality.

As demonstrated at Nextfest, an exhibition of emerging technologies in San Francisco, it is possible to see straight through someone wearing a special coat and make out a blur of the objects directly behind them.

Optical camouflage uses a surface of small beads doubling as cameras and mini-projection screens. The cameras transmit data to the other side of the piece of clothing so what is seen from the back is projected on the front, and vice versa.

Last weekend's fairshowcased everything from new-generation computer software and flying cars to forensic brainwave analysis, a prototype domestic robot called Asimo and a computer-operated "power assist suit" to help nurses lift immobilised patients.