Top Line: XPANCEO, a deep-tech company developing smart contact lenses, and Konica Minolta Sensing Europe, an imaging and optical solutions company, announced the launch of a system for testing augmented reality (AR) smart contact lenses. According to the companies' announcement, the XPANCEO-Konika Minolta system incorporates optics specifically engineered for measuring near-eye displays (NEDs), such as those used in virtual, mixed and augmented reality headsets. Unlike traditional optical testing, where the aperture is located inside the lens, the AR/VR lens design positions the aperture on the front of the lens, which enables the connected imaging system to replicate the exact location of the human eye in AR/VR devices and capture the entire field of view available to the user.
Close Up: “Historically, AR display testing systems have primarily focused on devices such as glasses and near-eye displays,” said Dr. Valentyn Volkov, co-founder of XPANCEO. “Smart contact lenses, however, present a unique scenario—they eliminate concerns like eyebox or eye relief, as the lens sits directly on the eye. Our approach stands out because it is tailored specifically to the unique requirements of smart contact lenses, addressing parameters critical to their functionality.”
“In AR/VR product development, precise optical measurements are essential,” said Dr. Kedar Sathaye, product manager, light and display at Konica Minolta Sensing Europe B.V. “XPANCEO's immersive AR smart lenses, combined with Konica Minolta's complete optical solution, utilize custom lenses with an external aperture to replicate human vision for objective brightness and color measurements. With high-resolution cameras and powerful software like TrueTest, this setup ensures thorough optical analysis, accurate calibration, and seamless integration of virtual elements with the real world—delivering a strain-free and immersive user experience.”
Vital Stats: Key parameters measured by the system include:
• Field of View: The XR smart contact lens is designed to allow users to see images from any angle, requiring precise measurements to ensure the gradual improvement of this parameter.
• Brightness of Virtual Images: While traditional light bulbs can be easily quantified, virtual images present a subjective experience that necessitates an objective testing system. 
• Contrast: This measures how distinctly an image stands out from the background, crucial for comfortable and safe viewing. It should remain stable regardless of the surrounding environment's brightness.
• Adaptation to Weather Conditions: The brightness of virtual images needs to adjust to different weather conditions—similar to how phone screens adapt—without causing excessive brightness that could blind the user if they look directly at the sun.
• Gradient of Intensity Across the Field: Virtual images exhibit varying brightness due to optical reasons, particularly at the edges. Accurate measurement of this parameter is essential to correct the image when recorded for projection.
• Line Sharpness: This parameter ensures that thin lines and details in the image are clear and easily visible to the user.
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