The Rise of Augmented Reality
The world is a myriad of possibilities, from gene therapy to shape-shifting robots to virtual reality and now augmented reality. Twenty years ago, it would have been crazy to think we could combine real-world and computer-generated content or operate computers with nothing but a contact lens. This is the essence of augmented reality (AR).
Augmented reality, or AR for short, is all about blending the real and virtual worlds to create something entirely new and exciting. It's a technology that allows us to enhance the real world with digital content through holographic technology, enabling the virtual to interact with the physical environment. While virtual reality wants to immerse us entirely in a digital world, AR wants to enrich our perception of the real world by using computer-generated images, video, sound, and other details.
The History of Augmented Reality
The origins of augmented reality can be traced back to 1968, when the first AR technology was developed at Harvard by Ivan Sutherland and Bob Sproull. They created an AR head-mounted display system to superimpose virtual information onto the physical environment, known as the "Sword of Damocles." This technology has since been advanced by companies, universities, labs, and national agencies over decades.
However, it wasn't until 2008 that the first commercial AR application was developed. German agencies in Munich created a printed magazine ad for a BMW Mini that appeared on the computer screen when held in front of a camera, allowing users to control and view the virtual car from different angles. This was one of the first marketing campaigns that allowed interaction with a digital model in real-time, inspiring other brands to put content on a screen and have consumers interact with it through physical tracking markers.
In the early 2010s, augmented reality started taking off, with National Geographic showcasing rare and extinct animal species walking through a shopping mall, Disney showing cartoon characters interacting with people on the street in Times Square, and Coca-Cola simulating environmental problems. These AR displays were used to engage customers at events or public spaces, but they required considerable investment and weren't always scalable.
The Shift to Augmented Reality Wearables
The real shift in augmented reality happened when its usage left just advertisements and started affecting how we relate to and consume products. Imagine virtually trying on a watch or a piece of jewelry from the comfort of your own home. This technology was groundbreaking at the time because it gave customers a better sense of what a product would look like on them before they even purchased it.
The most significant AR technology introduced in recent years is the augmented reality smart contact lens. A startup called Mojo Vision has developed a contact lens that delivers an augmented reality display right in front of your eyes. This breakthrough invention has been in development for the last 10 years and has already received over $100 million in funding.
Mojo Vision's Augmented Reality Contact Lens
Mojo Vision's contact lens uses unique purpose-built microelectronics and the world's densest micro display, with 14,000 pixels per inch resolution. The heart of the lens is a half-millimeter-wide micro LED display that projects a virtual teleprompter, navigation instructions, and other interactions that appear floating in your field of vision.
The company has also developed a solution that allows you to click on an icon by concentrating on it and turn it off by looking away or blinking. The lens is discreet and does not change your appearance, making it perfect for professional and social situations. Mojo Vision's contact lens is even connected to the internet, which means you can get instant access to information based on your surroundings, such as the nearest gym or supermarket.
Mojo Vision has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a breakthrough device to test the contact lens to help people with visual impairments such as macular degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa. The company envisions business applications for workers or specialists who need real-time information in their field of vision without bulky headsets.
The Potential Impact of Augmented Reality Contact Lenses
Many in Silicon Valley believe that AR will become as ubiquitous as smartphones. The Mojo Vision contact lens could significantly impact real-world applications, especially in industries or environments where traditional wearables are impractical. For example, in sports and athletic performance, important information can be easily overlaid without getting in the way, allowing athletes to focus on their surroundings.
These contact lenses could also revolutionize professions like medicine and engineering, where workers need to have access to real-time information as fast as possible. A surgeon could see their patient's vitals in real-time, and an engineer could see hard-to-reach parts inside a machine, improving job efficiency.
The lenses could even enhance the lives of people with poor vision and first responders. By adjusting contrast and lighting, the lenses can make seeing details in low-light conditions easier, and the zoom feature can help users see facial expressions from afar. In high-stress environments like firefighting, the lenses could display crucial information without the user fumbling around for a device.
The Challenges Ahead
While the Mojo Vision contact lens is an exciting development in the world of wearable technology, there are still several challenges to overcome. The lenses are still in development and have some regulatory hurdles to clear before they hit the market, even with FDA approval. There are questions about the strain these contact lenses might have on the eyes and how they would affect those with poor eyesight.
Additionally, the Mojo lens requires a custom fit and an external computer worn around the neck to stream content directly to the lens. This could pose a challenge for customers who are looking for a more convenient and user-friendly option. Mojo Vision is aware of these challenges and is working on further refinement to make their product more accessible to the broader market.
The Competition in the Smart Contact Lens Market
Mojo Vision is not the only company in the smart contact lens game. Innovega, a Bellevue, Washington-based company, is also producing smart glasses and contact lenses. Their Hemacula system includes both contact lenses and eyewear, with the displays located inside the eyewear and the contact lenses enabling the user to see the displays while also seeing the real world.
In 2022, Innovega made a significant breakthrough in smart contact lenses during a phase 2 clinical trial, with visually impaired participants reporting better visual acuity when wearing the lenses. This milestone is a significant achievement for the company, which has been working on this technology for nearly 14 years.
Another player in the smart contact lens market is In With Corp, which announced technology at the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show that could revolutionize the world of contact lenses. In With has developed soft contact lenses that can house AR chips to enhance the vision of everyday consumers, and the company plans to receive breakthrough approval from the FDA soon.
The Future of Augmented Reality Contact Lenses
The future of augmented reality contact lenses is exciting, with companies like Mojo Vision, Innovega, and In With Corp leading the charge. These lenses have the potential to revolutionize various industries, from sports and medicine to construction and first responder operations. As the technology continues to evolve and overcome regulatory hurdles, we can expect to see these smart contact lenses become more accessible and user-friendly for the general public.
The integration of augmented reality with our everyday lives through contact lenses could create a more seamless and efficient way of interacting with information and our surroundings. As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the ability to access vital data and virtual experiences directly in our line of sight could significantly enhance our daily lives and professional endeavors.
While there are still challenges to overcome, the potential of augmented reality contact lenses is undeniable. As we move towards a future where technology becomes more invisible and integrated into our daily lives, these smart lenses could pave the way for a new era of "invisible computing," where the digital and physical worlds converge in a way that enhances our perception of reality and improves our overall quality of life.
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