Solar-Powered Augmented Reality Contact Lenses

ByronScott writes "Want eyesight that could put your neighborhood cyborg to shame? Well, University of Washington professor Babak Amir Parviz and his students are working on solar-powered contact lenses embedded with hundreds of semitransparent LEDs, letting wearers experience augmented reality right through their eyes. If their research proves successful, the applications — from health monitoring to gameplay to just plain bionic sight — could be endless."

Comments

Yes I Do Want

[alex_guy_CA]

Oh my. Yes indeed, if that is not the coolest sounding thing I've heard all day, I don't know what is.

Though now that I think a little more, a spam attack on your eyeballs could be troubling...

Re:Yes I Do Want

[socsoc]

Just wait for the malware on whatever drives the display... You could actually punch the monkey and win!

Re:Yes I Do Want

[girlintraining]

Though now that I think a little more, a spam attack on your eyeballs could be troubling...

People always think of the best outcome when a new technology is created, forgetting the cesspool we call humanity that's going to use and pervert it. The day you have bionic eyes is the day people start paying good money to augment your "virtual reality" to replace competitors advertisements, add advertisements onto everyday objects surrepticiously, and what you'll end up with is drowning in useless information just as much now, sitting at your keyboard reading this, except you won't be able to unplug.

Most of my friends have the social expectation that if they send me a text or email, I reply in a few minutes, a half hour tops. Any longer, and they think something's gone wrong, and start calling me and everyone I know to find out what happened. God help us all the day we're linked continuously with each other over a massive communications network; Kiss democracy goodbye, privacy, anonymity, freedom, and the right to choose how you life your life goodbye. It'll all be auctioned off to the highest bidder. It'll be like Ghost in the Shell, with police, government agents, and large corporations being able to cloak themselves from being seen. And there won't be trials anymore -- the bionic eye's constant connection with the network will mean everything you see from the moment you wakeup until you go to bed will be available for review. They'll make their use mandatory because it results in zero crime. Or so they'll say.

It isn't fear-mongering to expect this. Not fifteen years ago when the internet was in its infancy, most of what was out there was high quality scientific research and most of the e-mails being sent were between real people, having real conversations. Today, it's a cesspool where 99% of what your inbox gets hit with is someone trying to sell you something. Every window into the web has advertisements hanging off of it. And here in Minnesota, the Supreme Court recently ruled that it was okay for people to be convicted of DUI if they could have been capable of operating a motor vehicle. People being thrown in jail because of the possibility that a crime could have occurred -- it is no longer necessary that the public (or yourself) be harmed for the law to reach into your lives. Today we live in a society where the merest possibility of a person engaging in a criminal act is sufficient grounds for conviction.

Technology does not change the way people think. Human intellectual capacity has not altered in the past 4,000 years (at least) as far as we can tell. We can laugh at people who believed the world was flat, but the fault is ours for doing so -- we did not understand how they saw the world. There wasn't anything wrong with their eyes, or their brains. We're fundamentally no smarter than they were. But we think we are. And we're so confident, so smugly superior to our predecessors that we know this future can't happen.

Of course there will be trials. And freedom. And democracy. And all that good stuff. We know it because, well, gosh darn it, that's how it has to be.

No.

No it doesn't.

All these things we value will die, and we can't blame technology for it. All technology does, this one included, is expose and direct us towards the fundamental question of what it means to be human. And let me just say -- that definition is not sunshine and rainbows. We were given free will. Nowhere in that does it say we are in any way inclined to do good; When it comes right down to it, very few people truly trust one another, and we'd believe our own direct sensory experiences over what anyone would tell us. We imitate others. That's all culture is -- the direct observation of our environment, which is translated into coping mechanisms (behaviors) that we then interpose between ourselves and it.

So tell me, where does that leave us when those sensory experiences become artificial and malleable?

Re:Yes I Do Want

[WrongSizeGlass]

So, I take it that you won't want to borrow my pair when I get them? I bet they'll make my iPad look even better than my rose colored glasses :-)

Re:Yes I Do Want

[Clandestine_Blaze]

A well thought-out, on-topic response being modded as redundant? Even if you don't agree with the poster's reasoning, this certainly isn't redundant.

Re:Yes I Do Want

[girlintraining]

That's "Whose" not "Who's." After all, if you're set on letting ANYbody here into your pants, you're going to need to straighten that stuff out first. Heh. Heheh. Don't be ridiculous! :)

Fortunately, discovering that someone is an intellectual snob usually happens on the first date. That's when I split the tab, and then split for the exit. Besides, I'm under no illusions that there's any eligible lesbians who read slashdot in my zipcode. To date, I've found two regular posters here that ping the radar, and neither are even in my state. :(

Re:Yes I Do Want

[DigiShaman]

So tell me, where does that leave us when those sensory experiences become artificial and malleable?

I leaves us as members of the hive that is defined as a wired society.

I say this because I'm in an agreement with you. We are quickly losing our individuality and freedom as you so stated. I'm already at my breaking point of just "unplugging" myself from all this noise. I'm sure it will lead to depression and loneliness at first. Eventually however, I will feel liberated!

I need a very very long walk in the desert...alone. Just give me water and the clothes on my back. I will figure the rest out later.

Re:Yes I Do Want

[BronsCon]

Me too... oh... wait.

Re:Yes I Do Want

[siloko]

They'll make their use mandatory because it results in zero crime. Or so they'll say.

Given that this is extremely unlikely it sort of makes the rest of your post redundant. Even if I wore these multi-faceted, augmented reality, net aware, government monitored eye wear I could easily just take them out. You know, like regular contact lenses. And as to your nightmare scenario of a future 1984, please remember that the vast majority of people on this planet are not even on the net and unless and until we alter the economic framework on which we distribute wealth this ain't gonna change anytime soon!

Re:Yes I Do Want

[Onymous Coward]

There's something about your posts that I find grating. I should try to figure out what it is.

I think maybe... pronounced certainty... that exacerbates the irritation of caustic cynicism... and contempt for non-cynical thinking which you polarize into a hyperbolic strawman to mock, gosh darn it... A kind of exaggerated, hateful, pessimistic misanthropic venting.

You "hold forth" rather than posit or ponder.

You talk about human nature and are quick to point out failings, but I'm guessing you'd be hard pressed to acknowledge prosocial inclinations.

Am I reading you wrong? Maybe I'm not remembering the character of your prior posts very well. Are you not cynical? Do you ever qualify any proclamations with "well, I'm not entirely sure...", "I think...", or "it could be..."? Or is it really all "damn straight -- people suck is how it is and I'm the person to tell it to ya, ya foolish dreamers"? Maybe it's more performance than measured analysis.

People always think of the best outcome when a new technology is created, forgetting the cesspool we call humanity that's going to use and pervert it.

But the very thing you were responding to was someone pointing out a negative application of technology? Yet, "people always think of the best..." Maybe this hyperbole isn't warranted? Especially just on the heels of a counterexample?

Experiences change the way people think. Sure, there are tendencies, but evidently a wide variety of outcomes -- have you noticed? -- which suggests thinking is pliable. Technology can enable experiences. Talk therapy is itself a kind of technology. Maybe technology itself doesn't change the way people think (modulo mood drugs... hm... and probably neurofeedback machines... okay, and maybe a number of other technologies), but technology can be leveraged. And that's a critical point which we ought not sweep under the rug mid-rant.

Message boards allow individuals to speak to a public of thousands or hundreds of thousands. That's powerful technology. What would you do with that kind of technology? Self-gratifyingly vent your gall bladder about the inherent and irremediable evil of humankind? But meanwhile thus paint an ugly picture of humanity for others to absorb? Did you know that the more we contemn and so fear others the less helpful we become? Indeed, the more we become the things we're hating? Selfish, ungenerous, unkind? Get my drift? If we call humans ugly we make it so. Technology has amplified your mouth. Watch your mouth.

I'm not suggesting we turn a blind eye to fault. Indeed, this post is all about calling you out on yours. We absolutely should be critical. Meaning we should apply our intellects to make fine distinctions in judgement. Being overly biased towards either gloom or rainbows is harmful. (Albeit, biased towards gloom more so.) Let us judge, and judge accurately, being wary of our emotions. Let's judge, but let's not be hateful or contemptuous. I don't hate you for your curmudgeonly ranting; hate doesn't improve anything. If you're upset about humanity's failings, I might suggest highlighting and promoting its good qualities. For example, you're obviously a clever thinker. Quite sharp. Seemingly a good arguer. I suggest that you take your mental gifts and apply them with a less cynical bias. Your life will be more pleasant, without losing any realism, and so will the lives of those around you. Including me. I make this recommendation for all our sake.

Next time I'm in Minnesota, you wanna grab a coffee?

Re:Yes I Do Want

[L4t3r4lu5]

For those of you who don't speak "hoity-toity" here's a translation:

"I disagree with your pessimism regarding humanity. You're a clever bloke, but far too cynical.

Wanna make out?"

(N.B. This comment is fully-laden with humour.)

Re:Yes I Do Want

[somersault]

Mod parent up! Better to veer towards looking at things on the bright side - often it actually turns out that your fears are unfounded. My life has much improved since I started trying to focus on the positive parts of life. I still like to play devil's advocate and still could be considered cynical or at least detachedly rational at times, but I also try to foster good in myself and other people.

I was thinking similar things about her post but it's impossible to say that the things she mentions will not come true.. they'd certainly be possible in certain political climates - for example the current China - but I like to think that there are enough checks and balances in human nature to make sure that there will still be people in government who work to preserve dignity and privacy in our lives. There's also the fact that politicians have more to fear than most out of their lives being monitored, so I don't think they'd be too happy about this kind of tech being mandated.

Re:Yes I Do Want

[Scrab]

There's quite a difference between what you're proposing and what TFA talks about.

These not bionic eyes, they are contact lenses, and they don't have cameras in them.

You're right that such things could happen, and in some nightmare society, we could end up with compulsary bionics for monitoring purposes.

Buit this isn't anything to do with that.

And you could make this argument about any technological advance. "We've found a way to write in the sky!" "But what if the government uses it for propaganda?"

I also take issue with the social expectations paragraph. If your friends require you to respond that quickly, then you're telling me that you never take a shower, you never sleep, and you never have a social life that involves going to the theatre, the cinema, ice skating... need I continue?

And it IS fear-mongering to expect that. You're telling me that a government organisation (and it'll have to be one that does it) can organise bionic implants for every person in (your country name here) AND manage the massive network and storage infrastructure that would be required to make it work? Given my (the Uk) government's experiences with technological projects, I'm seriously not worried.

We've also had stupid laws for a long time. I don't know if it still is one, but there was a law in the UK that said that you could shoot a man from the walls of York, I think it was, as long as he was Welsh. But you know what? We had an attack of common sense and got rid of it.

And yes, there will be trials and freedom and democracy, because there are still people out there that give a damn, and are willing to swim against the tide.

And you know what? Occaisionally, it works.

Stop being such a pessimist.

Re:Yes I Do Want

[criterzzz]

Am I reading you wrong? Maybe I'm not remembering the character of your prior posts very well. Are you not cynical? Do you ever qualify any proclamations with "well, I'm not entirely sure...", "I think...", or "it could be..."? Or is it really all "damn straight -- people suck is how it is and I'm the person to tell it to ya, ya foolish dreamers"? Maybe it's more performance than measured analysis.

Right on brother! I like the way you think. It is a pattern with most radicals that they are so convinced of their ideas, they never see the duality of the world. You put it in the words very well. I am going to use this logical chain in the next argument.

Re:Yes I Do Want

[girlintraining]

Yeah... this is hugely off topic, but hey.

It's a common experience for lesbians. I am kindof a soft androgyny, whereas my girlfriend is quite butch (almost irritatingly so). She's also short for a girl, and I'm tall for one. So we make quite the spectacle. Needless to say, in the summertime people like to yell out the window dyke, cow, fat ass, etc., when they pass by. If approached, sometimes they'll ask me if I could "give their friend some love", despite the obviousness that I'm holding her hand and we're obviously a couple. She and I have both been called 'sir' in public on an irregular basis. And if I rebuff those sexual advances, they do sometimes mutter that "well you're just chicks with dicks anyway" and storm off. For the record, I'm not strictly a lesbian, I'm actually bi -- I've just had no luck with men. I don't know what journals this person is referring to, since I don't post any on slashdot, but hey. *shrugs* Who knows what google turns up given the right search words? Point is, it's just throwing hate out there because the poster wants women to be "put in their place" -- which in this case means subservient to heterosexual men. And that's just plain hateful bullshit.

On a somewhat different note, trans-women are part of the life and the community as much as any others. I know some lesbians would detest me for saying that, but we need to show a common front. I don't believe gender is in between your legs like most believe, it's in between your ears. How else would it be that my girlfriend acts more like a man and I act more like a woman? Sexuality, and for that matter physical sex itself, is a spectrum. Most people concentrate at the polls, but that's no reason to be hateful towards those who, for whatever reason, are found elsewhere.

Dunno about meeting up anywhere. I'm only looking for friends in the world right now. Pride is coming in a few months. Maybe I'll see you there?

Re:Yes I Do Want

[Dripdry]

Ok, someone can whack my karma for this, but here goes:

Thanks for the reply!

That experience sounds terrible. In fact, if we *do* end up somehow getting in touch (for Pride or just email) I def. have some questions that it sounds like you'd be willing to field. We actually are in Andersonville, just north and the quieter version of Boys' Town on the north side.

One of my interests is something you kind of brought up: Male/female rights and cultural views/roles, and "hegemonic masculinity/femininity".

I've slowly begun getting to know a couple MtF's and FtM's (my girlfriend was recently at a small discussion with Lee Harrington actually) That courage is incredible and an inspiration.

Yeah, friends are good. If you come into town and want to meet, we (girlfriend and I) might be able to introduce you to a few people. If you're cool emailing it sounds like there's a possibility of a good conversation. We can talk to a couple people in the Minnesota scene and ask for some guidance, if that helps you at all. However, I know one couple who moved from there specifically because it's pretty oppressive up there. It's not San Francisco here in Chi-town (of course) but it's better.

Alright, mod me down!!

Looks Pretty Vapory

[Trip6]

It's in its "nascent" stages, years away from reality, and they mention that even a single pixel could be beneficial - already managing expectations downward. Seems like pretty good PR to me.

BTW, I'm working on teleportation. It too is in its nascent stages.

Re:Looks Pretty Vapory

[Anonymusing]

If you follow the trail of blog references, you end up here, which is apparently the blog of one of the researchers. It has far more information. To your particular point: "In recent trials, rabbits wore lenses containing metal circuit structures for 20 minutes at a time with no adverse effects. ... We’ve mainly pursued the active approach and have produced lenses that can accommodate an 8-by-8 array of LEDs. For now, active pixels are easier to attach to lenses. But using passive pixels would significantly reduce the contact’s overall power needs—if we can figure out how to make the pixels smaller, higher in contrast, and capable of reacting quickly to external signals."

So it's probably a little bit further along than your teleportation research. Are you using rabbits too?

Re:Looks Pretty Vapory

[yukk]

So it's probably a little bit further along than your teleportation research. Are you using rabbits too?

Heh. They're the primary subjects. Magicians have been teleporting rabbits into special receptacles for ages. Though what the top hats are for, I'm unsure of. Maybe they're just pretty packaging for the power supply.

Why are you staring into the sun ?

[ryan.onsrc]

The charge on my contact lenses is running low.

Bullcrap

[oldhack]

Get back to us when you have some sorta prototype.

Re:Bullcrap

[interkin3tic]

Get back to us when you have some sorta prototype.

I think you're in the wrong part of the internet. This is news for nerds. Really cool tech, even if it might turn out to be vaporware, qualifies.

Re:Fascinating

[yukk]

Makes me wonder however if it would be self-contained (unlikely) or have to communicate with some hardware either broadcasting near your location or probably worn on your person somewhere.

Well, it's unlikely to have much processing power and still actually stay in your eye, but I don't see too much downside of it connecting to a small (or large depending on the requirements) wearable computer on a personal network for the processing of information or connecting to the web for information to correlate or display. e.g. If it's giving you directions to the closest ATM the wearable could get your GPS position, look up the ATM and then display little arrows on the lens. I doubt they can build this into the lens itself. That functionality may even be an app on your Android phone. That;s probably powerful enough to manage much of what folks would want. No need to lug around a whole PC.

Problems

[rabiddeity]

There are several difficulties with this type of system that have prevented it from becoming a reality. Here are a few:

1. This is too close to the eye to be able to resolve focus in most situations. The light isn't collimated or directional (it appears to be focused with some sort of "microlens" system), so one LED turned on can spread out to stimulate a wide patch of retinal cells. With any regular LED system you'd just see a big blur. For information requiring a single light this isn't a problem (flash an LED on/off under certain conditions, or change the color) but anything more will require something which can project cleanly onto the retina. This is not a trivial problem.
2. The detail-oriented part of your retina is near the center, in a part called the fovea. While you think your vision is equally clear across a wide range, this is actually a trick of your brain. Your eyes are quite sensitive to rapid movement (low latency) on the edges, and more sensitive to detail in the center. When observing fine detail such as text, your eye actually "scans" an area and forms a larger, detailed image from the composite. Even if you could project the light cleanly 1:1 onto the retina, for any textual/HUD information you'd have to track eye motion very precisely and provide the information that the brain "expects" to see at each point. And again, the light has to be projected onto a very small part of the retina.
3. Retinal cells can get easily overstimulated, much like the burn-in on old CRTs. Even when looking at one object of normal intensity for any period of time longer than a few seconds, your eye will "jitter" back and forth. This involuntary movement is called nystagmus, and your brain compensates for it. (The rhythm changes when alcohol or drugs are ingested, which is why nystagmus tests are part of a DUI test.) Lab tests have shown that when the eye is physically restrained from moving in this way, objects effectively become invisible to the subject. So any 1:1 projection would also have to track nystagmus and then "jitter" in the same way as the eye, or the conveyed information would also become invisible.

Re:Problems

[rabiddeity]

> 1. You say each LED is not collimated or directional but then you mention a microlens system. What does this microlens do, if not collimate?

Think. Why are lasers of such importance? Why can't we just use LEDs with mirrors and lenses to accomplish the same thing as lasers in optical drives? The reasons here are very similar. There will be leakage, there will be diffraction, and the light won't focus cleanly on a single region of the retina.

> 2. Contact lenses move with the eye.

That's exactly the problem. When your eyes move the patterns from the outside world "move" across the retina, and the visual-optical response system can function properly. This set of lights is stuck to the front of your eyeball, so the light emitted by the LED array does not move. The way to solve this is to have some very intelligent circuitry that can pan the LED patterns on the display along with the eye movements.

Normal contact lenses do not produce light. They act as a surface to modify the shape of the cornea in order to fix aberrations in the lens system. (The lens inside your eye is one source of refraction, but the boundary of your cornea with air is the other major one. This is why refractive eye surgery can correct your vision.)

Does this make more sense?

sounds cool but...

[Eth1csGrad1ent]

...where the hell is my FLYING CAR !?

Re:sounds cool but...

[Anonymous Coward]

We were flying it out to you, but your payment was delayed and we had to disable it. Feel free to pick up your wreckage once you drop off your next payment.

Regards,
Texas Auto Center

Call me when there's a demo

[beatsme]

These images and this concept have been floating around for years now. The only new pitch is the solar-poweredness. Besides that, this is old hat just sitting on the back burner. Call me when there's a press demonstration

Re:Nuclear trolls are slow today

[sjames]

If they were nuclear powered, they could give us super night vision.