"Eye" on Today

Current prototypes of the VRD include:

• Resolutions of 1280 pixel by 1024 line raster updated at 72 Hertz.
• A red monochrome image with 256 levels of gray at full VGA resolution.

But MicroVision predicts that within two years they will have 3-D viewing with the image projected onto both of the users' eyes with each image created from a slightly different point of view to create a stereo pair. It is also possible to vary the focus of the individual pixels in the image such that a true 3-D image is created.

MicroVision's literature says that the "company has identified and intends to pursue major near-term opportunities in the military markets as well as in specific commercial categories requiring high performance and specialized display products, such as medical and industrial."

Todd McIntyre of MicroVision's Marketing and Business Development department says that the first VRD will ship in the 3^rd quarter of 1998. Public comments from MicroVision suggest that the initial cost may be as much as $50,000, though McIntyre said that the price is still to be determined.

Eventually MicroVision hopes to license its technology to other hardware developers and move into mass markets for use in such applications as 3-D videogames. Rutkowski says "We think we can drive costs out of this enough to make it viable for the consumer market."