Move over, Google Glass – it’s time for smart contact lenses to shine! A joint research team affiliated with UNIST has recently introduced a breakthrough technology that could revolutionize navigation as we know it. Their new smart contact lenses can implement augmented reality (AR) navigation through a 3D printing process, and can be worn just like normal contact lenses.

The advantages of smart contact lenses over existing AR devices are numerous. Not only are they affordable and convenient, but they also eliminate the need for bulky headsets that can be expensive and experimental. But creating AR displays on such a small surface is no easy feat, and that’s where the UNIST team comes in.

Their method of micro-patterning Prussian blue (PB) onto the contact lens has allowed for the creation of energy-saving electrochromic (EC) displays that can be driven with low power. And the best part? The micro-pattern technology is so fine that it can be applied to smart contact lens displays for AR, with a color that is continuous and uniform.

The researchers successfully demonstrated their technology by creating a smart contact lens with a navigation function. By receiving GPS coordinates in real time, the device was able to display directions to the user on the EC display. It’s easy to see how this technology could be a game-changer for anyone who has ever struggled with navigating unfamiliar streets or public transportation.

While the UNIST team has certainly made a breakthrough, they’re not the only ones working on smart contact lenses. Leading companies like Google have been developing their own versions, but have faced technical challenges that have impeded their commercialization. However, with this new technology, the UNIST team may have just paved the way for the successful implementation of AR-based smart contact lenses.

Who knows – with this new technology, we may never have to squint at a map or struggle with a GPS again. The future looks bright – and clear – with smart contact lenses.

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🫰 The Feeling of Virtual Reality?

This Hands-Free Tech Makes it Possible

Virtual reality just got a whole lot more touchy-feely, thanks to a new hands-free approach developed by researchers at Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, and Meta Reality Labs. The technology, called "multisensory pseudo-haptics," combines visual feedback from a VR headset with tactile feedback from a mechanical bracelet that vibrates and squeezes the wrist. The bracelet, called Tasbi, has a motorized cord that can tighten and loosen around the wrist, as well as small vibrating motors that can be coordinated with a user's movements in virtual reality.

The researchers found that their technology could simulate a range of physical interactions, including pressing buttons, pulling switches, and grasping and squeezing objects. The wrist-based approach frees up the hands and fingers, allowing for "all-day" wear like a smartwatch. Plus, it's much more comfortable than bulky hand-held or hand-worn devices like haptic controllers or gloves. (Read more here)

While pseudo-haptic illusions created through visual and spatial cues have been studied for over 20 years, the researchers wanted to see if they could be made more realistic with coordinated tactile feedback. The results of their experiments were promising, with volunteers able to sense varying degrees of stiffness in virtual buttons and even perceive an object's mass and inertia.

The technology has exciting implications for the future of virtual reality, particularly as more people spend time working in extended reality. With the multisensory pseudo-haptics approach, virtual experiences can be made more believable and immersive without encumbering the hands. It's a win-win for anyone who wants to work, play, or explore in virtual reality without sacrificing comfort or convenience.