Charbax | FlexEnable AR and VR Flexible Ambient Dimming Films, Tunable Lens, Tinting Roof and more @charbax | Uploaded May 2024 | Updated October 2024, 1 week ago.
Paul Cain, Strategy Director at FlexEnable, presents various advanced technologies that the company is showcasing at youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7xXqJFxvYvjJihFUMIabPjjPrALb6a7Z Among these are ambient dimming films designed for augmented reality (AR) headsets. These films address the challenge of seeing virtual objects in high brightness conditions by reducing the luminance of the real world. They use guest-host liquid crystals and can be continuously driven between their darkest and lightest states. This feature is crucial for AR, as it ensures high contrast for virtual objects, particularly in scenarios where black or dark regions need to be represented.
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Thanks to Synaptics for being my Display Week 2024 video coverage sponsor. Watch all my Synaptics videos here youtube.com/watch?v=0uBWbwgkHnw&list=PL7xXqJFxvYvhAbQoe9YN4c84SqXxIY3fQ&index=2
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Cain explains that unlike traditional dimming systems, which often rely on glass-based components, FlexEnable’s technology is unique because it utilizes plastic films. This makes the films extremely thin and lightweight, ideal for all-day wearable AR headsets. The dynamic range of these films can be adjusted by modifying the amount of liquid crystal and dye, making them versatile for various AR applications. The key innovation here is the ability to perform pixelated dimming on plastic substrates, a feat not achievable with conventional technologies.
Additionally, Cain introduces a tunable lens made from a thin plastic film, about 100 microns thick, that can switch its lens power on and off using liquid crystal technology. This one diopter lens can focus light from infinity to a point at one meter. Such lenses are essential for AR and VR systems to address the vergence-accommodation conflict, allowing virtual objects to remain in focus at varying distances. This technology can potentially integrate with eye-tracking systems to dynamically adjust the focal length based on the user's gaze.
The tunable lenses developed by FlexEnable can be combined to increase their power, enhancing their application scope. Despite being mounted in rigid holders for demonstration purposes, these lenses are designed to be laminated onto existing optics, maintaining the system’s flexibility and durability. FlexEnable’s approach to combining multiple lenses into a system underscores their adaptability in creating more complex optical solutions for AR and VR devices.
FlexEnable’s innovations extend beyond AR and VR applications. Cain also discusses an automotive smart roof demo utilizing the same tintable technology used in AR films. These films, adaptable to large areas and biaxial curves, demonstrate the versatility of FlexEnable’s liquid crystal cells. By integrating dye with liquid crystal, the films can change their transmissivity or absorption when a voltage is applied, making them suitable for various automotive and other large-scale applications.
Another notable demo at the FlexEnable booth is an organic LCD display prototype. Unlike traditional LCDs made on glass, this display is built on a plastic substrate, allowing it to bend around a radius of about 30 millimeters without compromising its optical performance. This flexibility not only enhances durability but also opens up new possibilities for lightweight, shatterproof devices.
Addressing concerns about reliability, Cain assures that the transistors used in FlexEnable’s displays have comparable or superior performance to traditional amorphous silicon transistors. The liquid crystal cells are optimized to maintain uniform cell gaps even when curved, ensuring consistent optical performance across large areas. This optimization suggests that FlexEnable’s flexible displays are not only durable but also highly reliable over time.
FlexEnable's use of bioplastic substrates and lower manufacturing temperatures for organic electronics presents environmental benefits. These bioplastics are more eco-friendly than glass, and the reduced energy consumption during manufacturing further enhances the sustainability of FlexEnable's products. This commitment to environmental responsibility aligns with the growing demand for greener technologies in the electronics industry.
Description by Chatgpt.
This video was filmed using the DJI Pocket 3 ($669 at amzn.to/4aMpKIC ), watch all my DJI Pocket 3 videos here youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7xXqJFxvYvhDlWIAxm_pR9dp7ArSkhKK
My Early Access Members get full access to all my videos as I upload them nightly youtube.com/charbax/join before they are published are the rate of 3-5 videos per day in the days following the event.
Paul Cain, Strategy Director at FlexEnable, presents various advanced technologies that the company is showcasing at youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7xXqJFxvYvjJihFUMIabPjjPrALb6a7Z Among these are ambient dimming films designed for augmented reality (AR) headsets. These films address the challenge of seeing virtual objects in high brightness conditions by reducing the luminance of the real world. They use guest-host liquid crystals and can be continuously driven between their darkest and lightest states. This feature is crucial for AR, as it ensures high contrast for virtual objects, particularly in scenarios where black or dark regions need to be represented.
----
Thanks to Synaptics for being my Display Week 2024 video coverage sponsor. Watch all my Synaptics videos here youtube.com/watch?v=0uBWbwgkHnw&list=PL7xXqJFxvYvhAbQoe9YN4c84SqXxIY3fQ&index=2
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Cain explains that unlike traditional dimming systems, which often rely on glass-based components, FlexEnable’s technology is unique because it utilizes plastic films. This makes the films extremely thin and lightweight, ideal for all-day wearable AR headsets. The dynamic range of these films can be adjusted by modifying the amount of liquid crystal and dye, making them versatile for various AR applications. The key innovation here is the ability to perform pixelated dimming on plastic substrates, a feat not achievable with conventional technologies.
Additionally, Cain introduces a tunable lens made from a thin plastic film, about 100 microns thick, that can switch its lens power on and off using liquid crystal technology. This one diopter lens can focus light from infinity to a point at one meter. Such lenses are essential for AR and VR systems to address the vergence-accommodation conflict, allowing virtual objects to remain in focus at varying distances. This technology can potentially integrate with eye-tracking systems to dynamically adjust the focal length based on the user's gaze.
The tunable lenses developed by FlexEnable can be combined to increase their power, enhancing their application scope. Despite being mounted in rigid holders for demonstration purposes, these lenses are designed to be laminated onto existing optics, maintaining the system’s flexibility and durability. FlexEnable’s approach to combining multiple lenses into a system underscores their adaptability in creating more complex optical solutions for AR and VR devices.
FlexEnable’s innovations extend beyond AR and VR applications. Cain also discusses an automotive smart roof demo utilizing the same tintable technology used in AR films. These films, adaptable to large areas and biaxial curves, demonstrate the versatility of FlexEnable’s liquid crystal cells. By integrating dye with liquid crystal, the films can change their transmissivity or absorption when a voltage is applied, making them suitable for various automotive and other large-scale applications.
Another notable demo at the FlexEnable booth is an organic LCD display prototype. Unlike traditional LCDs made on glass, this display is built on a plastic substrate, allowing it to bend around a radius of about 30 millimeters without compromising its optical performance. This flexibility not only enhances durability but also opens up new possibilities for lightweight, shatterproof devices.
Addressing concerns about reliability, Cain assures that the transistors used in FlexEnable’s displays have comparable or superior performance to traditional amorphous silicon transistors. The liquid crystal cells are optimized to maintain uniform cell gaps even when curved, ensuring consistent optical performance across large areas. This optimization suggests that FlexEnable’s flexible displays are not only durable but also highly reliable over time.
FlexEnable's use of bioplastic substrates and lower manufacturing temperatures for organic electronics presents environmental benefits. These bioplastics are more eco-friendly than glass, and the reduced energy consumption during manufacturing further enhances the sustainability of FlexEnable's products. This commitment to environmental responsibility aligns with the growing demand for greener technologies in the electronics industry.
Description by Chatgpt.
This video was filmed using the DJI Pocket 3 ($669 at amzn.to/4aMpKIC ), watch all my DJI Pocket 3 videos here youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7xXqJFxvYvhDlWIAxm_pR9dp7ArSkhKK
My Early Access Members get full access to all my videos as I upload them nightly youtube.com/charbax/join before they are published are the rate of 3-5 videos per day in the days following the event.
