Apple is also working on new eye-related technology

Apr 21, 2017 12:19 GMT  ·  By

Apple is known to be working on a new technology and possibly a new product that would integrate the company’s advances in the field of augmented reality. A report confirms previous predictions that Apple is working on new AR glasses.

The incident report was compiled by an Environment Health and Safety contractor working for Apple and accidentally sent to hundreds of Apple employees. The report contains several clues regarding new products that Apple has been working on.

Aside from minor incidents that involved workers at Apple’s facilities, the report also provides information about Apple’s testing process of headsets that overlay a 3D image into the user’s eye. Apparently, Apple is still perfecting the technology, and some time may pass until it is released to the market.

Clues about new AR technology are found throughout the report

“After BT4 user study, user advised study lead, that she experienced discomfort in her eye and said she was able to see the laser flash at several points during the study. Study lead referred her to optometrist and secured prototype unit for analysis,” the report reads.

Another similar incident involved an Apple employee at the office in Cupertino. “Employee reported eye pain after working with new prototype, thought it may be associated with use.”

While the report doesn’t specifically say that Apple is developing AR or VR headsets, it does provide strong clues regarding such devices being currently tested at the company’s facilities. It’s also worth mentioning that Apple could very well be developing vision-related technologies, like iris scanners or 3D facial recognition sensors, rumored to arrive on the iPhone 8.

3D sensing technology has long been rumored on the iPhone 8, while facial recognition will surely prove useful, considering the uncertain fate of the Touch ID. Apple has been having trouble integrating the Touch ID under the display, and some analysts believe that the feature could be relocated to the back of the iPhone 8.