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Smart Sunglasses

Posted by samzenpus on from the so-I-can-watch-you-weave-in-real-time dept.

"Many readers have submitted this story of chemists at the University of Washington who have made glasses with lenses that can be transparent or dark, in shades of yellow, green, or purple, all at the push of a button. The glasses will let the wearer instantly change the color of their lenses to virtually any hue by tuning a tiny electronic knob in the frame."

21 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. how about polarization by Blue+Shifted · · Score: 5, Interesting

    i frequently use polarized glasses to examine lcd screens for defects; it would be nice to change the angle of polarization without having to tilt my head at odd angles. also, when i change the angle, i can see through many different reflections.

    1. Re:how about polarization by wass · · Score: 5, Informative

      If you're doing this often enough, as you say, why don't you buy a linear polarizer? Here is a relatively cheap one. Much better ones can be had for more money. You can also use circular polarizing films to block reflected glares.

      --

      make world, not war

    2. Re:how about polarization by zCyl · · Score: 5, Funny

      If you drive with horizontally polarized sunglasses, you cut the glare from the road, but still get glare from the windshield. If you switch to vertical, you cut the glare from the windshield, but not the glare from the road. I don't want to see any reflected light.

      You should try wearing a larger pair of horizontally polarized sunglasses on top of a normal pair of vertically polarized sunglasses. That will accomplish your goal of not seeing any reflected light.
  2. Are they... by rossdee · · Score: 5, Funny

    Peril sensitive? Zaphod needs 2 pairs.

  3. Buttons and Knobs? by Reed+Solomon · · Score: 5, Funny

    What is this, 60's Star Trek? I want it to respond to my thoughts or at least memorize my preferences somehow. Buttons and Knobs. Really.

  4. Got nothing on my Joo Janta 2000's! by mattOzan · · Score: 5, Funny

    Button-pushing is for weenies. Glasses that go black all by themselves at the first sign of danger--that's where it's at!

  5. No rose? by the_bard17 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Only yellow, green, or purple? No rose colored glasses?

    I wouldn't have been able to resist the temptation to add it, myself... assuming it was possible.

    1. Re:No rose? by beav007 · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Only yellow, green, or purple? No rose colored glasses? FTA:

      Chemists at the University of Washington in Seattle say they are developing 'smart' sunglasses that will let the wearer instantly change the color of their lenses to virtually any hue of the rainbow. So, whether you like your lenses clear, red, green, blue or purple, virtually any color could be obtained instantly by tuning a tiny electronic knob in the frame, the researchers said in a release. Unlike you, I read [part of] TA. I must be new here...
  6. Motorcycles by LBt1st · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I would buy these in an instant! I commute on a motorcycle and often times I leave in the morning. Unless it's cloudy i have to put on my sunglasses before the sun is even up. Then I ride north with darkened vision. But I have no choice because later I have to ride into the sun as it's rising. Impossible to safely do without the shades. Wearing a helmet, even with a flip up face-mask, it takes too long (and again, is unsafe) to fumble with putting on shades while on the bike. With these, I could easily turn a knob while at a traffic light. I just hope they put the knob where I can get to with with the helmet on, and while wearing gloves. Hell if they just made helmet visors that'd be even better!

    1. Re:Motorcycles by skiflyer · · Score: 4, Interesting

      If your visor isn't UV protected you can already do this today with Transitions... http://www.transitions.com/ , they have several models for different usages (different starting tints basically)... but they're UV activated, so they kinda suck for their most obvious usage, driving. I hear their newer model "drivers" are supposed to be better for that... don't get me wrong, the old ones worked in a car, just not as well as they work out in the open air.

    2. Re:Motorcycles by lisaparratt · · Score: 4, Informative

      The Schuberth Concept and C2 range have a secondary inner sun visor that you can flip down with a slider on the outside of the helmet:

      http://schuberth.klaxmedia.de/en/concept.html
      http://schuberth.klaxmedia.de/en/c2.html

      They're awesome - I've had my Concept about 4.5 years, and I'm definitely getting another when I replace it this summer.

  7. Nice! by Dr.+Eggman · · Score: 5, Funny

    But I'd rather have contact lens that change colors everytime I blink. It'd look really cool, but it'd probably be real distracting to people and retnal scans.

    --
    Demented But Determined.
  8. Here are the glasses by suv4x4 · · Score: 4, Informative

    There we go, on top.

    With glasses like those, you can be the hit of every nerd party, I can hardly wait.

  9. Re:Oh Great by Max+Littlemore · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So yet another reason for assholes to "wear their sunglasses at night" and be distracted about whilst they drive.

    Aren't there yellow glasses for people with bad night vision that reduce glare? They're _supposed_ to be worn at night for safety reasons and I think from TFA, these glasses also go yellow. If the shade of yellow is right, people could use the same pair for day and night driving, which is pretty cool.

    By the way, people who drive with sunglasses at night are not assholes, they are dickheads. There's a subtle distinction.

    --
    I don't therefore I'm not.
  10. Smart.....? by IHC+Navistar · · Score: 5, Funny

    The only truly smart sunglasses will be able to skitter off of my seat before I sit down on them. That, and when to fold in poker.

    --
    Knowing Google's lust for data collection, the Soviet Union is still alive and well inside the psyche of Sergey Brin....
    1. Re:Smart.....? by IHC+Navistar · · Score: 4, Funny

      'Hind'-sight is always 20/20!

      Ok, I know, bad pun.

      Thanks for the thought though!

      --
      Knowing Google's lust for data collection, the Soviet Union is still alive and well inside the psyche of Sergey Brin....
  11. Sunglasses? Colors? Pfft. by straponego · · Score: 5, Funny

    I want mirrored contacts. When somebody takes a flash photo of me it'll look like my head is exploding. Don't ask why I want that, I just... do.

  12. Re:Perfect! by Max+Littlemore · · Score: 4, Funny

    Pfffft. Flying cars are for weenies.

    I bet these babies will be sweet for red shift compensation when I'm riding my warp enabled rocket pack! You haven't lived 'till you felt the rush of the inky void through your hair!!

    --
    I don't therefore I'm not.
  13. Colorblindness aid? by ereshiere · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've got red-green colorblindness (green traffic lights look white, reds look darker than other colors, brown looks like both green and red, etc.). Will this help people like me in any way?

  14. Photocromatic glass by baomike · · Score: 4, Informative

    Really cool glasses do it without being told. Like mine have for the last 40 years.
    Only one colour , true, but "look ma , no hands".

  15. Re:Oh Great by hcdejong · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Aren't there yellow glasses for people with bad night vision that reduce glare?

    Yup. I've got a pair of those. AFAIK my night vision is okay, but headlight glare annoys me; driving with these glasses is a lot less tiring. I also use them during dusk/dawn and in bad weather: they decrease contrast, making dark areas more visible.