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Clear, Holographic Optic Allows High-Definition Images in Augmented Reality Devices

Augmented reality devices enable people to view the world around them overlayed with data relevant to what they are seeing. Applications range from head-up displays on car windscreens showing speed, navigation, and safety information, to headsets worn by surgeons during operations providing them with live health data from the patient. The UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has developed an optical component for augmented reality devices in partnership with London-based company TruLife Optics. The small, lightweight optic consists of a glass waveguide that contains two postage-stamp-sized holograms. The light is transmitted into the first hologram and then turned 90 degrees through the length of the waveguide, via total internal reflection, before hitting the second hologram and being turned a further 90 degrees so it is projected into the human eye. This allows for overlaid transparent images to be projected from the center of the optic in perfect focus. Images can be displayed in high definition, full color, and in 3D (with a different image for each eye).

Topics:
Automotive Displays/Monitors/HMIs Imaging Medical Optical Components Optics Photonics Test & Measurement

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    Transcript

    00:00:00 it's really exciting we've built the last piece in the jigsaw puzzle to bring true augmented reality to life after years of development we're launching our true life holographic Optical element for the augmented reality industry this item is going to change the landscape I think for everyone interested in building AR systems from the small companies to the big companies it's

    00:00:24 clear and transparent it enables very high definition images in color and even 3D if you use two Optics at the same time the holographic waveguide technology we've got provides the potential for some really exciting applications people have been dreaming of these sorts of things for [Music] years this is our true life

    00:00:48 optic two Holograms bonded to a wave guide in this case a piece of glass for most people the the Hologram that they see is the one on their credit card most most people have not actually seen Holograms other than that the Hologram we're using is a multiple wavelength hologram it's not a conventional hologram you might have seen before where you'll get an image we're using it

    00:01:11 a bit like a lens or a mirror the Holograms are a means of telling light what to do here I'm using a small display screen as the input device to the optic the light from the screen travels through a small lens to colate it it hits the first hologram where the Hologram bends the light through 90° through the wave guide until it hits the second hologram where again the light is

    00:01:36 bent through another 90° straight into your eye you can see that the inputed image is seethrough it's also focused perfectly within your field of vision so that the outside world is not at all compromised there's many things that you can do with augmented reality that can assist people in various professions for example a firefighter trying to get a an red view

    00:02:00 of a smoke field room you might think of a medic wanting some more information about the operation that he's doing from a colleague across the Atlantic these wave guides were made using our own proprietary Emulsion and this means that we're able to tailor how we make things to specific requirements of individual customers the input to our optic can be of anything you want and here we want to

    00:02:26 give you an example of how it was used in the free form Lab at MP L where they're measuring the surface of a turbine you could use in a lab situation where you're overlaying measurement data over the device that you're measuring so that you don't have to look away at a computer monitor to achieve the measurement that you want the national physical laboratory has been set up to

    00:02:51 enhance the work of world leading British companies we've been working with true life Optics to produce this patent pending technology which will make a massive impact in the augmented reality industry true life Optics is owned by color holographic and within color holographic are a number of well-renowned holographs who have pioneered many different

    00:03:11 techniques in the art of holography over the years and they've brought that expertise to True Life Optics we're committed to supporting true life Optics to become a UK champion of this technology both in the UK and around the world true life Optics are special because they're clear they allow you to use full color they're transparent very high definition and if

    00:03:37 you use two you can have them in 3D as well holographic waveguide technology really will change the landscape for head-up display eyewear applications because of the way that we can deliver the image directly over the field of view of the user this optic is the last piece in the jigsaw for augmented reality now developers of any application

    00:04:00 can come to us and buy an optic that enables real augmented reality [Music]