UA researchers devise a "more efficient and faster" augmented reality system for 'smart glasses'

   ALICANTE, 11 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Holography and Optical Processing Group (GHPO) of the University of Alicante (UA) has proposed to manufacture 'smart glasses' that, based on augmented reality, project data and images directly into the eye, using the commercial Bayfol photopolymer because it allows record holograms in a "faster and more efficient" way and at a lower cost.

This proposal has been raised in an article published in the magazine 'Heliyon' and according to the UA it is a "remarkable advance" in the area of ​​'smart glasses', which are already marketed by different technology companies, as indicated by the academic institution. this Wednesday in a statement.

The professor of Physics at the UA Sergi Gallego has highlighted that resorting to shrinking the photopolymer increases the efficiency of smart glasses, while pointing out that these devices are "capable of projecting all types of notifications, such as calls, messages or any other information on the retina of the user's eye without the user having to look away or resort to the mobile phone.

"The user can view all the desired information superimposed directly on the view of the background, in such a way that the image that is transmitted is transparent, that is, it can be seen through it," Gallego explained.

At the same time, the professor has pointed out that "one of the most relevant handicaps" in this technology is the introduction and extraction in the glasses of the image that is to be transported to the eye, which is why he has highlighted that "holography is a tool that can solve this problem." "The use of this technology can revolutionize our daily lives almost to the level that smartphones have done," he said.

In this sense, the UA has pointed out that a special call from the European Commission to subsidize projects in this line of research, which came out in March 2023, has recently resolved to finance the proposal led by the multinational Essilor and in which the research group participates. of the University.

The University of Alicante has highlighted that its institution is a "pioneer" in the field of holography and has pointed out that the first hologram of a diffuser object in Spain was recorded on its campus in 1969.

The Holography and Optical Processing Group, led by Professor Augusto Beléndez and Professor Inmaculada Pascual, has experience in recording holograms for a multitude of applications, such as image processing with holograms, holographic memories, generation of new holographic recording materials, sensors holographic, holography for solar energy or holographic augmented reality devices.

This work has been developed entirely within the UA group, with the participation of researchers such as Joan Sirvent Verdú, Juan Carlos Bravo Frances, Jaume Colomina Martínez, Cristian Neipp López, Daniel Puerto García, Andrés Márquez Ruiz and Sergi Gallego Rico.