Published by the U.S Patent and Trademark Office, Samsung has won the patents for smart augmented reality (AR) contact lenses. These lenses, very much like your smart-phone, will be able to take photos, record videos and display images into the user’s eye through a built-in hidden camera.
The lense will be controlled through motion sensors that detect and register eye movement. Each movement would activate a different function, so blinking, for example, would snap a picture.
“Wearable’s are the next stage in the evolution of AR and will replace the handheld devices we currently use. Lenses and glasses are the future of AR, we’re at a time now where the software is available and we are waiting for the hardware to catch up,” said Dmitry Ogievich, CEO at Banuba – a pioneering artificial intelligence lab specialising in computer vision and AR, in a statement.
“Samsung achieving a patent for augmented reality contact lenses is a significant milestone in the technology’s development, paving the way for mass consumer adoption in the future, which is incredibly exciting,” Ogievich continues. “This development will create incredible opportunities in computing, maps and entertainment, all of which will have a transformative effect on our everyday lives.
“When wearable AR devices become the standard, our lives will change dramatically. Many mobile AR apps of the future are able to be run on mobile phones today – like Snapchat, Pokemon GO and others – but as devices become far more intuitive, they will integrate more smoothly into our lives. There is zero doubt that exciting and transformative change is afoot and, eventually, physical devices as we know them will disappear altogether.”
I definitely agree that technology is shifting towards wearables. We’re already seeing smart glasses and watches. A news piece by Ubergizmo, says analysts estimate 46 Million Apple watches have been sold to date, and that was posted more than a year ago.
Samsung achieving a patent for AR lenses is for sure a significant milestone. Samsung is known for its advanced technology and premium products. I believe it takes a reputable brand to truly influence the adoption of new technology. I do, however, think we still have a very long way to go. I say this because, with every new technology, there are a lot of health risks and dangers that need to be taken into account. For example, the eye is a very sensitive area, is it possible for the lens to not overheat?
Either way, this is a very exciting step and I think it’ll be very interesting to see what Samsung can produce and how they tackle these issues. We’ll be keeping an eye out on its development (no pun intended) and as always, be sure to keep you updated at VRFocus.
via Mint VR