Spotted: Blending the digital and real worlds could have a host of applications. Toyota and Boeing, for example, are already employing augmented reality (AR) technology to speed up the repair of automobiles or aircraft. Although existing AR headsets, like Microsoft’s Hololens 2 and Google’s Glass, are already demonstrating their usefulness, they have several common shortcomings. They’re big, pricey, and have a restricted field of vision.

Silicon Valley firm Mojo Vision believes that its new development might address these issues. The company envisions a future where its smart contact lens will become an essential part of everyday life, augmenting human abilities in many ways. Mojo’s latest prototype is still in development, but it promises a high-resolution display, a wide field of view, and the ability to project images onto the retina.

The FDA has yet to give the lens the stamp of approval for human usage. But the company is already working on potential applications for the technology, including a see-through mode that would let users view digital information (text, graphics, and even high-resolution video) superimposed on the real world. A magnetometer tracks the user’s eye movements to ensure that AR imagery holds still as the user looks around and also makes it possible to control the device through eye movements alone.

The majority of the computing power for the lens will be housed in a companion device worn around the neck that transmits data to the lens wirelessly.

Mojo Vision is not the only company working on smart contact lenses. Swiss biotech firm Sensimed also has a prototype that monitors eye pressure to detect glaucoma, while startups like Magic Leap and North are developing AR glasses that project images onto the retina. But Mojo’s lens is further along in development than these other products.

Other recent augmented reality innovations spotted by Springwise include a virtual environment for treating phobias, an AR changing room, and an AR tool that assists with surgeries.

Written By: Katrina Lane

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