CES 2014: iOptik - contact lenses with the function of augmented reality

Lately everything that had to do with the implementation of augmented reality functions, anyway had to do with the known points Google Glass, which are the first such commercial product in this area. But in the field of augmented reality work others less well known than Google, the company. These companies include American company Innovega, which demonstrates at CES 2014 prototypes iOptik contact lenses , are a part of them developed an augmented reality system.

The first information about the company Innovega towards augmented reality systems appeared in 2012, when the company under contract with the Office of the Pentagon's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA began developing prototypes contact lenses iOptik, augmented reality system, oriented for use in hostilities. But this technology has great potential for use in other, more peaceful, and that is demonstrated in the framework of the CES 2014.

It should be noted that the actual contact lenses iOptik are not complete and self-contained devices, they can be used only in a pair of special glasses. These points act as a pocket projector, projecting the image on a special augmented reality layer contact lens serving as microdisplay. Through the use of special filters and other technologies digital images without distortion superimposed on the image of the real world, creating a single high-quality image.

Technologies implemented in the system iOptik, allow a person without any restrictions at the same time focusing his gaze on close objects and subjects focusing on long distance, which is an alternative to traditional displays, built-in sunglasses, which only create an illusion that the virtual objects at a distance in order not to interfere with human perception of the environment.

This focus is achieved by the fact that the light emitted from the projector-points passes through the center of the contact lens, and interacting with the "optical" part of the human eye is focused on the retina. Image ambient strikes the retina through the refracting apparatus and the filters, which are located on the periphery of the contact lens, and mixing the two images takes place directly on the retina of human eyes.

The system is currently based on augmented reality contact lenses iOptik expected to enter the consumer market, which, according to the company's plans Innovega should happen by the end of 2014 or the beginning of 2015 after obtaining permission from the management of FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Meanwhile, representatives of the company Innovega negotiate with a variety of potential partners, among which are the well-known companies such as Oakleys, Lenovo and Electronic Arts, each of which considers iOptik technology as an opportunity to expand the features and capabilities of their own products.