I've been looking at a variety of diverse blogs and noticed a video on 2000ah.blogspot.com that caught my attention. Essentially, a Japanese company has developed glasses with a mount that projects images directly on the retina. This is another case where science has caught up to science fiction.
You can watch the video of the device below.
Although the Japanese glasses seem more technologically advanced, an Israeli company had previously developed glasses in 2006 that projects videos on the lens.
Here's the video:
As I dug deeper into when this technology came about, I found out that a U.S. company developed head-mounted displays in 2002.
The article can be found at pcmag.com here
Even before that, in 1993, a patent was filed for fiber-optic video glasses, which can be found at the U.S. Patent website here.
So if this technology has been around for so long, what's taking it so long for it to be mass marketed? It's expensive to make, so we probably have wait a long time. When the crave for this technology matches the price customers are willing to pay, then perhaps we'll see these glasses next to the 3D TVs for sell.
Fascinating post. I agree with you about cost being the main issue; unless you are well-off or prepared to sacrifice other more essential items, you are not likely to purchase new technology over a certain price.
ReplyDeleteAs a long-term lover of sci-fi (and writer) I'm fascinated with the progress that is being made in this field. However, I also look at it from another point of view - what will be the long term health affects of such technology? This might sound a daft question, but as someone who suffers from ocular-induced migraines, such developements are no laughing matter. Take energy-efficient lightbulbs, which flicker and can trigger my migraines. The EU is in the process of making the traditonal lightbulb - illegal. What do I do then? And what happens a few years into the future my friends and family invite me around to see a film but they only have 3D televisions? I can't watch that without triggering a migraine.
I know all this mustsound negative but I do end up wondering whether we'll come to regret such advances. But of course I'm not at all jealous about those who can watch 3D films. Honest.
This sounds like a very cool development, esp if it ends up anything like the headsets used in Caprica. VR here I come!
ReplyDeleteEllie, the health issues related to the technology is a good point. The United States is phasing out the incandescent light bulbs, too, which I'm disappointed about because if you break an compact fluorescent lamp (energy-saving light bulb), you have to take precaution because it has mercury in it. See: http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/cfl.asp. But I've read that mercury-free bulbs called halogen bulbs are now available.
ReplyDeletemshatch, I'd love to have a VR headset!
Really cool. Thanks for sharing your find with us.
ReplyDelete