Tech News – Bionic Contacts
Scientists are designing a bionic contact lens that will allow the user to see the “display” while looking at the world. What an interesting concept as a new way of interacting with software.
The articles mention uses for airline pilots and doctors, and much more. Imagine soldiers seeing tactical plans as they survey a scene, a business person seeing prompts while giving a speech, or a magician using them to work with a spotter to pick out the “best” audience member. Maybe while browsing, you would automatically see an item’s price and be able to buy by blinking twice. 
The technology is still better fodder for a mystery than for real life; But, it is only a matter of years before this or something inspired by this technology becomes reality. What would you do with it?
Vision of the future seen in bionic contact lens
Prototype includes light-emitting diodes, basic wiring and a tiny antenna
By Bryn Nelson
Columnist – MSNBC contributor
updated 8:01 a.m. PT, Mon., Jan. 21, 2008
Researchers at the University of Washington have created the prototype for a bionic contact lens — recently tested on rabbits — that includes light-emitting diodes, basic wiring for electronic circuits and even a tiny antenna. Future versions, the scientists believe, could serve as a flexible plastic platform for applications such as surfing the Internet on a virtual screen, immersing gamers in virtual worlds and monitoring patients’ medical conditions.
…
Adding displays directly onto the lenses, visible to the wearers but no one else, could project critical information onto windshields for drivers or pilots or superimpose computer images onto real-world objects for training exercises. And with a wireless connection to the Internet, the lenses could allow bus or train riders to surf the Web on virtual screens suspended in midair or pave the way for gaming enthusiasts to immerse themselves in virtual worlds with no restrictions on their range of motion (although perhaps adding a further nuisance for fellow commuters).
Read Full Article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22731631/
Filed under Articles I Like | Comment (0)