- Holographic tape used in a production LTO library without infrastructure changes
- Live application software accessed holographic media using standard tape library workflows
- The dimensions of the cartridges matched the LTO, allowing robotic operation without modification
A British startup has tested a holographic tape storage system in a working LTO tape library, showing that it can be used within existing data center setups.
HoloMem’s test involved real software that wrote data to the system and read it back via normal tape library operations.
Both traditional LTO drives and holographic drives were side by side in the same library, which is important because there are a lot of them storage ideas fail outside controlled testing environments.
Testing shifts the focus from concept to usability
The system uses polymer ribbon cartridges that match the size and shape of standard LTO tapes. This will activate the tape library robot arm can move and load them without any physical changes.
The holographic disks fit into the library as shelf units, allowing the robot to choose between LTO tapes and holographic cartridges based on the request it receives.
On the software side, everything seems to be one unified system rather than separate platforms.
Each cartridge is designed to store up to 200TB of data in a single write, many read, meaning the data can be stored permanently and accessed repeatedly.
The storage method is based on layered holographic recording using relatively inexpensive laser components.
The capacity figure is a design goal for production hardware rather than a laboratory maximum, and the WORM attribute aligns with compliance-driven recordkeeping requirements.
Longevity claims extend beyond 50 years, although the focus has been on functional operation rather than accelerated aging validation.
The value of the trial lies less in raw density and more in demonstrated compatibility, as many alternative archival media platforms require new library designs, new processing systems, or new software layers, delaying acquisition and certification.
In this case, the holographic disk was added to an existing tape library without replacing hardware or rewriting software.
HoloMem says this result supports its plans to move towards commercial readiness, with more pilot deployments planned as engineering work continues through 2026.
“This is a major step forward for the commercial viability of future capable cold data storage, and the results are very exciting,” said Charlie Gale, founder and CEO of HoloMem.
“New technology solutions must integrate with existing infrastructure to realize their potential, and we are pleased to have successfully proven the usability of HoloDrive within BDT’s library.”
Mass production of the drive hardware is planned for 2027, bringing this system closer to everyday use than silica or ceramic storage technologies that are still difficult to integrate into data centers.
“What HoloMem has achieved is so impressive. By developing a plug-and-play holographic solution that is compatible with our tape libraries, the HoloDrive enables so many use cases for many in the industry,” said Marc Steinhilber, CEO of BDT Media Automation GmbH.
The test does not prove long-term reliability or cost-effectiveness at scale, but does show that holographic tape can be added as an additional storage layer without disrupting current systems.
Based on what has been demonstrated so far, its credibility depends on whether production hardware performs similarly to this live deployment.
Via Blocks and files
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