“Virtual Retinal Display” Does Exactly What Its Name Implies
What’s the Latest Development?
A company called Avegant has developed a prototype of a head-mounted display that could take virtual reality to a brand-new level: Currently going by the name “Virtual Retinal Display,” it works by projecting an image directly onto each of the wearer’s retinas. The result, says writer Tim Stevens, is one in which “[p]ixels seem to blend together seamlessly, creating an incredibly bright and vibrant image.” The latest prototype looks like two circuit boards set on an eyeglass frame; Avegant CTO and co-founder Allan Evans says the company is working with industrial design experts to create a more attractive version in time for next January’s Consumer Electronics Show.
What’s the Big Idea?
Retinal projection technology was considered so challenging that the makers of Google Glass decided to avoid it for its product. Avegant’s highly customizable display seems to have gotten around many of the major issues. CEO Ed Tang says that while better virtual reality experiences would be nice, “[w]e’re trying to make something…that you can wear on an airplane…mostly because I want to watch movies on airplanes.”
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