Targeting a redefined immersive AR experience, the developer of reflective waveguide technology, Lumus, enters into a strategic partnership with AddOptics, a provider of advanced prescription lens solutions.
The challenge of accurately simulating depth perception represents a serious problem for developers looking to integrate augmented reality (AR) into usable products, resulting in virtual content that feels too detached from the real world.
Via an optical lens approach, developed to address the issue, AddOptics suggests a push-pull method based on the additive property of thin lens diopters. The technique combines a positive diopter lens (+0.50D) with an equal but opposite negative diopter lens (-0.50D), to form a lens system with no net optical power (0.00D), that sets the virtual image at the ideal viewing distance, while keeping the wearer’s view of the physical world unchanged.
Two are better than one when it comes to challenging depth perception
Meanwhile, straight off the back of announcing the continuation of a partnership with Schott to manufacture its new Z-lens reflective waveguides, Lumus will integrate these waveguides into AddOptics’ prescription lenses, allowing users to experience immersive AR without compromising visual acuity or precision.
“At Lumus, we are committed to making all-purpose AR eyewear a reality,” said Eli Glikman, chief product officer at Lumus. “Our collaboration with AddOptics demonstrates the unique value of reflective or geometric waveguides by adding corrective lenses directly to our waveguides,” and “AddOptics shares our mission of improving the overall experience to users, and our partnership represents a significant step forward in readying AR glasses for the masses.”
Experts at creating exceptionally thin, lightweight and ultra-flat lenses – essential for precise waveguide bonding – AddOptics is the perfect partner for Lumus, whose Z-lens waveguide architecture features an innovative, lightweight optical engine and industry-leading resolution colour uniformity and brightness, offering enhanced image quality in natural-looking and unobtrusive AR glasses.
An optical solution that merges with the real world
Allowing direct bonding with prescription lenses, Lumus’ reflective waveguides mean bulky, heavy inserts are not required, and because the baseline solution makes no optical power demands, AddOptics can customise the lens based on the wearer’s prescription. Meaning the user can experience true-to-life visual experiences.
70% of people require corrective lenses to interact with digital content through AR glasses, said Joris Biskop, CEO of AddOptics. “By pairing our prescription lenses with Lumus’ reflective waveguides, we’re creating personalised AR experiences tailored to each user’s unique visual needs.”
