JBD has announced a strategic partnership with Xpanceo to create a new generation of augmented reality (AR) smart contact lenses. The last time we looked at AR contact lenses using MicroLED was when Mojo Vision was all in on the concept, but we know how that has changed. So, what’s different now?
The joint development effort revolves around integrating JBD’s MicroLED displays into Xpanceo’s smart contact lenses. Two approaches are being explored to achieve this integration. The first involves using a projector and hologram combination, where images are projected at a distance using a holographic method, allowing the eye to focus naturally. JBD’s MicroLED projector has been successfully tested for this approach, and while the current prototype employs an external projector, the companies are actively working to incorporate it directly into the lens.
The second approach takes the form of an integrated microdisplay, embedding a tiny screen directly within the contact lens. A custom collimation system is used to direct the image as a parallel beam of light, enabling the user’s eye to focus efficiently. Using JBD’s display technology, Xpanceo has already created a working prototype, achieving a total lens thickness of less than 0.5 mm.
The companies claim, compared to traditional AR glasses, these smart contact lenses offer significant advantages. By lowering resolution in the peripheral vision, where high detail is unnecessary, they reduce the processing load on the video controller and enable a more compact design. Additionally, the lenses suffer three times less brightness loss than the waveguide technology used in smart glasses, resulting in a clearer, more vivid display. The lenses are claimed to consume less than 10 µW of power, which is 100 to 300 times less than comparable AR glasses, making them suitable for all-day wear without frequent recharging.
