The concept of “smart glasses” has been gaining steam lately, with companies like Vuzix showcasing their new “microLED” glasses at CES, and Facebook promising smart glasses sometime in early 2021. However, some pioneers are beginning to prove that smart glasses could be just the beginning.
In January 2021, the InWith corporation, specialists in the embedding of microelectronic technology in hydrogel devices, announced something new. The company demonstrated its incredible smart contact lenses at the CES event for 2021, opening a new door for the future of computerized applications for AR in soft contact lenses.
AR Like Never Before
Smart contact lenses would work in a similar fashion to smart glasses, overlaying augmented reality technology on top of the real world in a person’s vision. The main difference would be that you wouldn’t have to actually wear any glasses.
During its demonstration at CES, InWith revealed that it currently holds numerous patents for smart contact lens technology. The configuration from CES aims to help developers place augmented chips for vision displays into any hydrogel contact lens – including the kind that people wear every day. The InWith team revealed its currently the only company capable of integrating display tech into soft contact lens materials in this way.
Most other companies experimenting with smart lenses have been stuck with hard, less comfortable lens options until now.
An Incredible Step Forward in AR
The introduction of the new AR technology from InWith follows the display that the company delivered in 2020, which demonstrated stretchable electronic circuitry in contact lenses from the Bausch & Lomb brand. According to InWith, the company is pioneering the techniques associated with integrating solid circuits and components into hydrogels.
InWith uses a technique that allows materials to expand and contract through the typical manufacturing process. This breakthrough technology could open the door to developers around the world, experimenting with AR solutions. Now, these developers will be able to create displays and ophthalmic applications for intraocular and contact lenses that millions of people use every day.
It’s not just new mixed and augmented reality experiences that InWith believes can benefit from the technology either. These innovations could even allow for better sight management for people with specific conditions, like Presbyopia or Myopia. The InWith team says that the technology could open the door to a revolution in electronic technology for the future of ophthalmic and eyesight solutions.
What’s Next in AR Vision?
As we look forward to the future of augmented reality, contact lenses with intelligent technology embedded into them could literally change the world. The InWith company says that despite various AR glasses currently in development, and several large companies getting involved in the industry, there is very little competition in its space.
The soft contact lens could be the ultimate medium for discrete AR experiences according to InWith, and the technology produced with these new lenses is leading the way to the future.
