Researchers have developed and tested a contact lens that wirelessly displays a one-pixel image on a contact lens, setting the stage for future displays that could revolutionize augmented reality gaming.
The embedded display in the lens receives data wirelessly through a radio antenna and displays it using a sapphire chip with an embedded micro-LED. The entire system is powered by a silicon power harvester that draws energy from a battery up to 2 cm away.
The lens was tested on anaesthetized rabbits "with no observed adverse effects."
Unlike virtual reality headsets with LCD displays, the lens allows users to view the outside world behind the projected image through the lens, theoretically allowing for images to appear to float in front of the user or even augmented reality characters that interact with environments in real space.
Researchers are currently working on a multi-pixel version based on micro-Fresnel lenses, though they admit "high resolution, full-color, stand-alone contact lens displays might be many years away."
Just to spread the word, theres a company who is currently developing a contact lens with embedded optics so that wearable displays don't have to be so big and clunky and can be worn close to your eyes without any blur or distortion. They're expecting to bring their product to the market in 2014.
Oh boy, and then they can start the contact lens Megapixel wars. Every 6 months, you'll have to upgrade or you'll be looked down upon by owners of the current model iEye.
sounds cool and freaky at the same time . It's like in the sci-fi movies i loved but questionable how risky it could be and ... battery max 2cm away? what kind of battery is so comfortable that there is any place 2 cm away from my eye that i would but it ?? oO tape it to my eyebrows, wtf xD
I wonder if this will have the same issue as VR headsets: eye strain from trying to trick the eye into focussing on something that it can't bring into focus. Interesting, but I know for a fact I'd never utilize such a technology even if it were available. I feel like it's one step on the road to Minority Report.
The power source is the sticking point, 2cm away is basicly next to your eye, then you add more pixels and you increase the power drain tenfold. It's pretty amazing anyway, to think such contact lenses could replace monitor screens.
The application for an "eye monitor" has all sorts of benefits, military tactical information, medical benefits, video games, movies, reading, internet browsing, driving....in fact....as I think about it more, you could use such technology for every activity you could imagine...yes, that one aswell.
I wonder though, with bionic eyes already real, by the time such technology is perfected we may have direct input to optical nerves.
Just make sure you don't put them on upside down... until we embed an accelerometer into the lens... oh, and good luck trying to look at a certain part of the display... unless we also have a gyroscope embedded for detecting eye rotation. I think even if we could put graphics into a contact lens, glasses seems like a more practical route.
LOL. What did they expect? Un-anesthetized rabbits who freaked out seeing a carrot-colored dot floating in front of them?
oh and i lol'd at iEye, cudos Harry ^^
The application for an "eye monitor" has all sorts of benefits, military tactical information, medical benefits, video games, movies, reading, internet browsing, driving....in fact....as I think about it more, you could use such technology for every activity you could imagine...yes, that one aswell.
I wonder though, with bionic eyes already real, by the time such technology is perfected we may have direct input to optical nerves.
I hope this is a step forward to new generation gaming/movies. :D
Not like "3D" TV's... Pfftt... 'Hardly enjoyed that and anyone is more than welcomed to argue agaisnt that.