High-Tech Contact Lenses Could Pave the Way for Terminator-Style Electronic Displays

  • Share
  • Read Later
Eduardo Parra / Getty Images

Researchers at the University of Washington might have just paved the way for advanced augmented reality. They fit rabbits with the first-ever electronic contact lenses, which, according to New Scientist, were able to display a single pixel in each rabbit’s field of vision.

While it might not seem like much now, eventually they expect to develop more advanced visual displays that could put directions, photos, email, instant messages and more right in front of you whenever you want. Of course, we’re most excited for the visual overlays that’ll finally allow us to locate Sarah Connor, or at least let us watch The Terminator while riding the bus.

(MORE: Supermarket Rolls Out Shopping Carts with Built-in iPad Docks)

More practical uses for this technology include help for people with glaucoma and visual warnings for the hearing impaired. The contact lenses are powered remotely by radio-frequency energy transmitted from about a meter away (reduced to two centimeters when the lens is actually placed in the fluid-filled eye).

So, there you go. Augmented reality is here, as long as you are willing to look at a single pixel with a transmitter hovering a couple of centimeters from your eyeball. Your move, early adopters.

[via New Scientist]

MORE: Samsung Dreams Up Flexible, Transparent 3D Display in Concept Video