AMALGAMATED VISION, LLC — National Aeronautics and Space Administration SBIR Phase I: H12

Description

Amalgamated Vision (AV) is an engineering company designing optics for head mounted display (HMD). AVrsquo;s optical engine is intended to be an OEM component that is vendor and content agnostic. It can be integrated into the electromechanics of any HMD for a user experience that avoids the common visual and physical impairments associated with current HMD systems. Based on laser beam scanning, virtual retinal display, and a patented diffuser/pancake lens design, our system provides superior image quality and ergonomics in an incredibly small, lightweight, non-obstructive form factor with high-resolution, extreme brightness, a large exit pupil, and deep color saturation with minimal color aberration. Images are projected directly onto the retina using a pupil relay system - there is no waveguide or combiner screen. No eye tracking is necessary. Superior performance is due to 1:1 on axis, symmetric optics that are predominantly reflective, with geometry that corresponds exactly to the MEMS laser scanner output. There is no 2D unfolding or field distortion. Light output maintains a 2000 nit, class 1 laser status visible in outdoor sunlight. Laser safety interlocks are present. Small size and ultra near to eye position (lt;16mm) allows for monocular true augmented reality or binocular ldquo;look downrdquo; reference display, depending on user needs and complexity of data presented. All versions are non-obstructive to the normal visual field, allowing for 100% situational awareness. Field of view depends on the module size - currently either 43deg;x25deg; or 24deg;x13.5deg;. Resolution is 1920 x1440 ldquo;pixelsrdquo; in the larger module with a volume lt;.03cc; the smaller module is less than half this size. Key components can be plastic, and weight of the larger module is lt;20 grams; the smaller module 9 grams. IP is patent protected. Our 2020 NASA iTech award-winning technology is based on widely available components from mature industries and is ready for rapid development, fabrication, and utilization.