Bosh presented a prototype of very unusual smart glasses at CES 2020, but did not present them, limiting it to single interview for the most persistent journalists. The reason – based on their technology of laser drawing a dynamic image right inside the eye is quite difficult to understand (although easy to use). Thanks to it, Bosch smart glasses are lighter, more economical and comfortable than their competitors, but virtually useless for the retail segment.

Lenses of Bosh smart glasses are not screens, they are empty and clean and do not interfere with your vision. Instead, a tiny microelectromechanical mirror array transmits three lasers (red, green and blue) through a transparent holographic element. Light from this element enters the eye directly, which initially requires extremely careful adjustment of the glasses to the anatomy of the user.

Because light enters only one eye, the brain does not switch to it entirely, while still being able to see what is happening in front of the user. By default, the focal length is set at 1.3 m to make it comfortable to talk to the person you are talking to, but it is possible to adjust the focal length. For example, it is set to the optimal distance when watching a movie on the screen or riding a bike. Glasses do not track the movement of the user’s eyes – if you move your eyes around, than a virtual picture will disappear.

Technically, the new glasses are further development of the North Focals system, which has grown out of Intel Vaunt, but Bosch tells that their invention is 30% smaller and weighs only 10 grams. Integrated 350 mAh battery provides one full day’s work. Fully transparent lenses don’t interrupt interaction with the world, plus it’s almost impossible to see that these are smart glasses and that they’re active right now. Bosch is currently looking for partners who can turn technology into a commercial product.

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