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Scientists Create Electronic Glasses That Can Automatically Focus On Whatever You're Looking At (engadget.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the phase-detection-auto-focus dept.

mmell writes: University of Utah scientists have created a prototype electronic lens which uses several technologies to customize the lens optics focusing on whatever the wearer is looking at. [Just like] the "oil lenses" in Frank Herbert's Dune series of novels, the electronic lens (a transparent LCD) can have its index of refractivity modified by application of a small electric current. While I can conceive many uses for this technology (in spacecraft instruments, webcams/Handycams, handheld binoculars and telescopes for example), these were developed as a replacement for the progressive lenses -- a.k.a. bifocals -- which are worn by many with less than perfect eyesight. Many eyeglass wearers don't tolerate bifocals well and I wonder if the adaptive optics in this prototype could relieve them of the need to carry multiple pairs of glasses? Whether they prove cost effective for the role of eyeglasses or not (and I can see no reason why they shouldn't), the applications for this technology seem quite diverse and potentially even revolutionary. I wonder how long it will be before these are more than just a prototype?

3 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Oh yeah!!! by Pope+Raymond+Lama · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Things about living in the future - this is the one technology I has been waiting for years, for before I need reading glasses! Now please go and take that to market! And if you want to include some mosquito-killer-lasers in the process I would not mind.

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  2. Re:Glasses cannot focus without looking at the eye by Pope+Raymond+Lama · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You realise that even if this needs a manual setting of a control on the glass itself, it will still be one order of magnitude better than swapping glasses?
    And, it is not like the "conventional" tech we have today, used in smartphones and other gadgets, cannot look at the eye.

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  3. Re:Glasses cannot focus without looking at the eye by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    You could have quick settings that adjusted based on glasses position. Today's glasses don't need to have exact focal lengths to be useful, they cover a range quite well and the eye does the 'fine tuning'.

    So if my head is down its in reading mode, head up distance mode. You could have activity based settings for when you are driving, etc.

    Still, unless they can seriously reduce these in weight, they might be relegated to other uses. Also, its not 'clear' how clear they are compared to traditional lenses..