And Now… “Peek-o” Projectors
Pico projectors continue to shoot up in popularity but here’s a new twist: Scientists at a Belgian university research lab have developed a spherical, curved LCD projector embedded within a contact lens to display words and images.
Previously scientists have managed to integrate LEDs into contact lenses, but this has been limited to only a few pixels. The researchers at the University of Ghent and IMEC say their LCD-based technology is a big leap forward because it uses the entire display surface.Researchers at the Centre of Microsystems Technology (CMST), IMEC’s lab at the University of Ghent, hopes this breakthrough could help people with damaged retinas by controlling light transmission towards the iris.
The technology could also be used for augmented reality contact lenses, built-in sunglasses and irises that appear to change color. You know, like those Google glasses that Sergy Brin takes on New York subways.
While the first prototype can only display rudimentary images (similar to an electronic pocket calculator), the researchers aim to develop fully autonomous electronic contact lenses embedded within this display. Lead researcher professor Herbert De Smet says these next gen applications could be available within a few years.
Watch IMEC’s Display-in-Your-Eye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-btRUzoKYEA
