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Wearable Displays in Popular Science Magazine
By john | August 20, 2006
The September issue of Popular Science has a “What’s New | Gadgets” one-page article (unfortunately no link) about the current, soon-to-be, and future tech of personal wearable displays. Unfortunately, the author focused on the use of these devices for playing movies and videos, rather than what I think will be the real use of these devices, which is personal computing, a heads-up display, and augmented reality. Below is my summary of the tech in the article:
- Current: Icuiti DV920 Eyewear - this is a nice wearable display targeted for use with the video iPod. Essentially provides a personal 42″ screen for watching movies and videos. Blocks the user’s field of vision, so cannot be worn while walking/moving
- Soon (2007): Lumus PD-20 Series - this is a nice technology that doesn’t block the user’s vision. An LCD microdisplay magnifies the input image and reflects it directly into the side of the lens. These light waves are then reflected off embedded mirros that enlarge the image and direct it into your eyeball. Will be available in a mono, 2-D version and a stereo, 3-D version. I contacted Lumus directly, and they confirmed that the product will likely be available about a year from now.
- Later (2015): True 3-D Technology from the University of Washington - somewhat similar (in my opinion) to the Lumus tech, except this technology adjusts the focal point of each dot of light so that it appears to come from a real object at the appropriate depth. Thus, more realistic 3-D technology. Tech like this will certainly make augmented reality very enticing.
It’s good to see that the technology is progressing to provide useful, functional, light-weight wearable displays. I think the time has come to start obtaining and experimenting with some of these devices, so look for future updates.
Topics: interfaces |