A quick look at the passengers in a subway car is enough to see the impact cell phones have had on communication habits. However, it is evident that the advancements in these devices have started to slow down. While there were significant improvements a decade ago, nowadays manufacturers mainly focus on increasing the number of cameras or megapixels. Could there be a breakthrough on the horizon? The development of augmented and mixed reality, along with the innovation in contact lenses and smart glasses, indicates that it might be.
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How do smart contact lenses work?
The main goal of smart contact lenses and smart glasses is to provide a hands-free computing experience, freeing users from constantly holding a cell phone. This concept is known as “invisible computing,” a term coined by cognitive science professor Don Norman from the University of California in the late 20th century. In this new era, technology will adapt to the user’s needs and body, as seen with mixed reality glasses and wearables, where information is displayed only when necessary.
To achieve this, researchers are exploring translucent materials that can integrate circuitry and display information on the lens substrate. These smart contact lenses are expected to incorporate technologies such as:
- Autofocus capability
- Wireless antenna
- Processors
- Sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, thermometers, etc.)
- MicroLED or similar displays
It’s still early to predict the exact direction of this new generation of contact lenses, but most of the computational processing and data storage will likely happen on external devices like cell phones or in the cloud.
This type of research has been ongoing for years. Google, for instance, announced in 2014 its plans to develop a smart contact lens for glucose level monitoring, which didn’t materialize. Subsequently, the Google Glass project faced backlash. Apple is rumored to be working on augmented reality glasses that could be discreet. While several attempts have been made, no breakthrough has been achieved yet. However, that could change soon.
A first working prototype of a smart contact lens
A U.S.-based manufacturer recently revealed the completion of its first functioning smart lens prototype. This lens, a “scleral” lens covering the entire eye instead of just the pupil and iris, successfully integrates the display, communication systems, and battery into a small convex sheet. The initial model will display monochrome images with a density of 14,000 pixels per inch.
In addition to hardware advancements, the development of the operating system and user interface (UX) is a significant breakthrough. This will enable testing new applications and use cases with partners and consumers. The fusion of software and integrated hardware will facilitate real-world testing over the following months and years.
Initially, these new contact lenses aim to provide a vision enhancement system to help individuals with partial blindness distinguish objects like road signs. However, partnerships with sports shoe manufacturers and fitness companies are also in discussion, as various applications show potential for exponential growth.
Main applications of smart contact lenses
The primary applications of smart contact lenses are anticipated to include displaying fundamental data such as airport gate numbers, object distances, or workout step counts. As the technology becomes popular, advanced features might include:
- Dynamic focus: Lenses detecting whether the wearer is reading close text or looking at a distant object and automatically adjusting focus.
- Health monitoring: Glucose, eye pressure, and eye temperature measurements could lead to potential disease detection capabilities in the future.
- Augmented and mixed reality: Once contact lenses can display intricate images and modulate opacity, users can view virtual objects seamlessly.
- Basic applications: Current applications like compasses, map directions, and calendar reminders, usually confined to cell phones or computers, could transition to smart lenses.
- Medication administration: Helping in the treatment of conditions like glaucoma.
To realize these applications and unveil unknown possibilities, significant advancements in battery, processor, and circuit miniaturization are essential. Improving contact lens ergonomics for all-day comfort is also crucial. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll read an article like this one about smart contact lenses. Feel free to subscribe to our newsletter for more updates at the bottom of this page.
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