'Invisible computing' startup unveils smart contact lens

A startup focused on "invisible computing" Thursday unveiled a smart contact lens which delivers an augmented reality display in a user's field of vision.

The contact lens offers a display with information and notifications, and allows the user to interact by focusing on certain points.

The rigid contact lens, may also be used to help people with visual impairments by using enhanced image overlays, and has obtained US approval for testing it as a medical device.

The contact lens could enable users to see a virtual teleprompter, navigation instructions or other interactions that appear floating in the field of vision by projecting a micro-LED display to the retina.

A user, wearing two lenses which may be fitted with a correction prescription, could "click" by concentrating on an icon—to launch a music player, for example—and turn off by looking away.

The contact lens is designed to provide overlays that augment sight for people with "low vision" and may assist in mobility, reading and other functions.

The contact lens aims to enable people to move away from physical devices and interact more naturally with technology. It also could have business applications, allowing workers or specialists access to real-time information in their field of vision without a bulky headset.

A challenge has been to pack into the lens the complex circuitry, image sensor, wireless radio and battery needed for the wearable device.

Executives said the current version would transmit and receive information wirelessly through a portable relay box which could be clipped to a belt, but they hope to link directly to smartphones in the future.