Virtual reality was promised to us long ago by countless science-fiction writers, but all we got was bulky low-res devices with wires everywhere. Well, okay - things are not that bad, but VR is far from perfect in its current state. Facebook is one of the big players in the VR game, and it seems the company is exploring new technology, that can make VR systems much more compact and comfortable.
The prototype that Facebook is working on looks like a pair of oversized sunglasses. Instead of regular refractive optics, it uses something called holographic lenses. This technology allows light to bounce back and forth between the lens and the display, before reaching the eye, effectively fitting large focal lengths into a small space. The result is a much more compact device that is lightweight and comfortable to wear.
“The design is demonstrated in a proof-of-concept research device that uses only thin, flat films as optics to achieve a display thickness of less than 9 mm while supporting a field of view comparable to today’s consumer VR products,” reads part of the description on Facebook's research blog.
Shown on the left, a photograph captured with the proof-of-concept research device shown above. On the right, a photograph taken through a larger full-color benchtop prototype.
However, there’s a caveat. The prototype is far from ready. In its current form, Facebook’s VR glasses can only display green light images. The researchers will try to make a transition from their big desktop prototype (that can display full-color images) to the cool portable glasses, shown above. Let’s hope they succeed.
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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