The line between technology and humanity has become increasingly blurred over the last few decades. Advancements in augmented reality (AR) and medical prosthetics have pushed us to the point of almost cyborg-human hybrids. While we may have laughed off Google glasses as “a bit much,” AR contacts are opening a whole world of possibilities.
While this may play into anti-futurist fears, there seems to be no stopping what scientists and researchers can dream up. And soon, you may be able to see it all, superimposed over your actual view, with disruptions as minimal as a blink.
A kind of smart prosthetics, AR contacts have major possibilities for both treatment and entertainment. Quite literally, a whole new way to see the world.
If you’re curious about this augmented reality tech is and want to know more about it, read on.
What are AR Contacts?
AR contacts come straight from a 1950s sci-fi page turner. The general idea is fairly simple and certainly not original. Basically, AR contacts aim to jam all the components of a modern smartphone into a comfortable-to-wear contact lens.
Your contact lens may provide an augmented reality heads-up display offering similar features to your Apple Watch. This means getting access to the weather, push notifications and biometric data all in the corner of your eye.
If this still sounds like a monumental project, you’d be right. Jamming all those parts into a small form factor, comfortable enough to sit on your eye all day, is a major ask. Only a handful of startups have been bold enough to attempt it.
Here are the initial specs and features for an AR lens:
- 14K pixel-per-inch microdisplays
- Biometric sensors
- Wireless radios
- Image sensors
- Power source
Sound a little mind-boggling? Read on for more specific info on how AR lenses work.
30,000 Foot View: Basic Specs of AR Contacts
The centerpiece of the AR contact is a tiny display, about the size of a grain of sand. To look at one of these displays without it being attached straight to your eye would require a microscope.
The display works by focusing light on a tiny part of your retina called the fovea. This area covers only 4% of your retina but has the highest density of nerve endings in all the eye. Focusing on this area means streamlining the light to the optimum spot.
Supporting the tiny display is a whole host of high-tech components. The microprocessor and image sensors being two of the most important. This adds functions like active eye tracking and enhanced communication to the contacts.
Battery power has two proposed solutions:
- A small solid-state battery folded into the edge of the lens
- Wireless charging capabilities using a device worn on the neck
Who’s Developing Augmented Reality Contacts?
Currently, there’s only a handful of companies crazy enough to take on this difficult AR endeavor. One firm is the California-based startup Mojo Vision. The first generation of their Mojo Lens has already started to turn heads on the electronics scene.
Mojo Vision has been developing its take on the AR contact lens for several years. So far, they have come up with some pretty impressive prototypes. While there are currently no commercial versions of their devices, Mojo Vision aims to add a feature-complete version of their flagship product soon.
Mojo Vision has some lofty goals for its products. While checking your workout stats in real-time on a run sounds fantastic, other applications for AR are awe-inspiring. Even with solid motivation and some potential market support, there is a long road ahead for the Mojo Lens.
Not only are the technical aspects still in development, wading into the world of medical devices comes with extra hurdles. First and foremost, gaining FDA approval for their final product. On that front, Mojo Vision has already acquired a breakthrough device designation, inching the device one step closer to getting into the hands (or eyes) of the people.
The team behind Mojo Vision is well-funded on their journey. Headquartered in Saratoga, California, the startup already employs around 80 people and has amassed some impressive funding. They have managed to pull about $105 million from major tech players like LG and Google.
Applications for AR Contacts
If you are already drooling over your possible high-tech future with your AR contacts, that day may be coming in the next few years. But Mojo Vision and other startups working to make that dream a reality have their sights set on some truly amazing applications.
AR Contacts for the Visually Impaired
Of course, commercial adoption is part of that dream. But hearing Mojo Vision talk about their product, you get a more comprehensive picture of what AR contacts can do for people.
One notable partnership that Mojo Vision has created is the one with the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Eventually, the Mojo Lens will be equipped with zoom and image capturing technology. This feature alone could impact the lives of the 3,000+ children and adults who live with visual impairments at that center.
AR Contacts for Emergency Personnel and First Responders
Another application could be helping emergency service workers and first responders. One of Mojo Lens’s product demos showcases the use of a lens by firefighters. With AR lenses, firefighters can see an active floor plan of a burning building, keep an eye on oxygen levels and add navigational markers to map out the blazing structure.
EMT professionals may use AR lenses to have patient vitals conveniently displayed right in their eye. This will free up precious time and, more importantly, keep both hands working on saving lives.
AR Contacts for the Service Industry
Mojo Vision also plans on helping out the service industry. Their dream is a future where AR lenses are built for specific jobs. Take a hotel, for example. With an AR contact, a concierge can quickly identify guests, pull up their reservations and guest notes to better provide a more streamlined customer service experience. When it comes to wearing Mojo’s lenses, there seems to be a lens for everyone.
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