Q-view
Lead Participant:
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
Abstract
This project aims to take forward work that will ultimately result in fully transparent augmented reality glasses -- think of Google Glass -- but instead of a clunky prism sticking out, these would be a fully transparent pair of cool-looking glasses.
We are using quantum technology to create the full optical effect, and if successful in this SBRI project we will be able to prove the technology so as to see this taken to market.
Having a full AR system could revolutionise many aspects of our lives, but this project focused on UK Security and Emergency services needs, so for example:
-military surgeons could see the vital sign data of wounded solider as they operate in the field,
-military personnel could repair tanks and helicopters in the field, being given instruction remotely.
-firemen could wear clear glasses that would show each other where they are in burning buildings.
-search and rescue teams could find missing people using infra-red imaging
- security agents at airports could wear innocuous displays when speaking to the public, but the text would be showing (to them alone) indicating risk and immigration status
- on a train a senior civil servant could be reading classified documents on their AR glasses with no light visible to anyone else in the carriage
However, there are myriad other uses, so for example, we might one day no longer need TVs or any display devices, so we would look at a blank wall and see a virtual TV display. Educationally, it could help children learning foreign languages by displaying the word floating above items in their classrooms.
The underlying science for this work has been developed through the UK Quantum Technology programme. It is an example of how a very specialist scientific research programme can break out into a much wider application space. Perhaps a good analogy is the development of liquid crystal technology (LCD). What started as a class of materials led to the first simple display elements (think of the grey display of a Casio Calculator in the 1970s and 1980s) but then went on to be used in flat-panel liquid crystal TVs. Who would have imagined that the 62 inch TV would have started with such simple first demo? We believe that this technology holds the same promise.
We are using quantum technology to create the full optical effect, and if successful in this SBRI project we will be able to prove the technology so as to see this taken to market.
Having a full AR system could revolutionise many aspects of our lives, but this project focused on UK Security and Emergency services needs, so for example:
-military surgeons could see the vital sign data of wounded solider as they operate in the field,
-military personnel could repair tanks and helicopters in the field, being given instruction remotely.
-firemen could wear clear glasses that would show each other where they are in burning buildings.
-search and rescue teams could find missing people using infra-red imaging
- security agents at airports could wear innocuous displays when speaking to the public, but the text would be showing (to them alone) indicating risk and immigration status
- on a train a senior civil servant could be reading classified documents on their AR glasses with no light visible to anyone else in the carriage
However, there are myriad other uses, so for example, we might one day no longer need TVs or any display devices, so we would look at a blank wall and see a virtual TV display. Educationally, it could help children learning foreign languages by displaying the word floating above items in their classrooms.
The underlying science for this work has been developed through the UK Quantum Technology programme. It is an example of how a very specialist scientific research programme can break out into a much wider application space. Perhaps a good analogy is the development of liquid crystal technology (LCD). What started as a class of materials led to the first simple display elements (think of the grey display of a Casio Calculator in the 1970s and 1980s) but then went on to be used in flat-panel liquid crystal TVs. Who would have imagined that the 62 inch TV would have started with such simple first demo? We believe that this technology holds the same promise.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON | £118,223 | £ 118,223 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Corin Gawith (Project Manager) |