We’ve fantasized about this technology ever since we first saw Robocop and Terminator (almost any futuristic science fiction will do, really) and it seems like we soon might get a chance to actually make our dreams come true. The geniuses/scientists over at the University of Seattle are currently working on bionic contact lenses that would essentially allow the specially designed lenses to be used to stream information onto the physical eye.

They’ve already tested it on animals (sorry if this bothers you, but this is the reality of science people) and the first phase of testing has been completed successfully. The bionic technology could potentially allow floating texts, emails and even images to show up on the contact lens and the same group of scientists are trying to develop a way in which the user could navigate through it all. Lead scientific researcher Professor Babak Parviz stated that the initial tests with rabbits renewed their faith in the futuristic project as they were facing an unusual amount of issues during its development.

Bionic Contact Lens Could Revolutionize Virtual Gaming

The scientists admit that there are still a lot of wrinkles they need to iron out including a critical upcoming test that could potentially determine the fate of the entire research project. They’re all currently satisfied with the way their research has been progressing and envision that the gradual implementation of hundreds of more micro-pixels onto the actual lens meaning complex holographic images could be a definite possibility as well.

Last week, we reported on the Sony Personal 3D Viewer and how it takes the personal entertainment experience to a completely new level and the bionic contact lens would be a definite step forward from that.

Could Have Medical Uses As Well

Their research is not only trying to improve entertainment by potentially changing virtual gaming and internet browsing as we know it, but it also envisioned as having a potential medical use that would, for example, project a person’s blood sugar level by wirelessly linking it to a biosensor.

One could just imagine how difficult it is to work on a contact lens and Dr.Parviz agreed that it’s one of the major obstacles facing them as they continue their research, especially since electrical circuits and microprocessors produce heat.