- Holographic tape operated within a production LTO library without infrastructure changes
- Live application software accessed holographic media using standard tape library workflows
- Cartridge dimensions matched LTO, allowing robotic handling without modifications.
A UK startup has tested a holographic tape storage system within a working LTO tape library, demonstrating that it can run in existing data center setups.
The testing performed by HoloMem involved real software writing data to the system and reading it through normal tape library operations.
Both traditional LTO drives and holographic drives were run side by side in the same library, which is important because many storage ideas fail outside of controlled test environments.
Testing shifts focus from concept to implementability
The system uses polymer tape cartridges that match the size and shape of standard LTO tapes; Because of this, the tape library’s robotic arm can move and load them without any physical changes.
The holographic drives fit into the library like shelving, allowing the robot to choose between LTO tapes and holographic cartridges depending on the request it receives.
From a software standpoint, everything appears as a unified system rather than separate platforms.
Each cartridge is designed to store up to 200TB of data in a write-once, read-many format, meaning data can be stored permanently and accessed repeatedly.
The storage method is based on layered holographic recording using relatively inexpensive laser components.
Its capacity figure is a design goal for production hardware rather than a lab maximum, and the WORM feature aligns with compliance-driven archiving requirements.
Longevity claims extend beyond 50 years, although implementation focused on functional operation rather than validation of accelerated aging.
The value of testing lies less in raw density and more in demonstrated compatibility, as many alternative archival media platforms require new library designs, new handling systems, or new software layers, slowing acquisition and certification.
In this case, the holographic drive 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 further pilot deployments planned while technical work continues through 2026.
“This is a big step forward for the commercial viability of future cold data storage, and the results are very exciting,” said Charlie Gale, founder and CEO of HoloMem.
“New technology solutions must integrate with legacy infrastructure to reach their potential, and we are pleased to have successfully demonstrated the deployability of HoloDrive within the BDT library.”
Mass production of the drive hardware is planned for 2027, putting this system closer to everyday use than silica or ceramic storage technologies that remain difficult to integrate into data centers.
“What HoloMem has achieved is impressive. By developing a plug-and-play holographic solution compatible with our tape libraries, HoloDrive enables many use cases for many in the industry,” said Marc Steinhilber, CEO of BDT Media Automation GmbH.
The test does not demonstrate long-term reliability or cost-effectiveness at scale, but shows that holographic tape can be added as another layer of storage without disrupting current systems.
Based on what has been demonstrated so far, its credibility depends on whether the production hardware works the same as in this live implementation.
Through Blocks and files
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