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Electronic Information QD Laser, Inc. Clean Device Society Promotion Program Development Promotion Project for Practical Use of Walfare Equipment The inner workings of RETISSA. A projector mounted on the right-eye side projects images. Striving to develop eyewear based on semiconductor laser technologies An optical system sends a three-color laser beam via mirrors to the pupil of the eye Working to downsize an eyewear device and enhance its resolution in a NEDO project RETISSA: retinal imaging laser eyewear that looks just like eyeglasses Development of an Eyewear Device for Low-Vision Aid That Uses Semiconductor Laser Technology Despite its extremely small size, the mirror iscapable of imaging about 1,000 dots horizontally by 600 dots vertically at high speed. Development of RETISSA, an eyewear device for direct retinal imaging Japan has 1.5 million people with low vision, a visual impairment that cannot be corrected by eyeglasses or contact lenses. In the Development Support Project for Practical Application of Problem-Solving Welfare Equipment, RETISSA, a groundbreaking eyewear device that directly projects images onto the user s retina, was developed using a semiconductor laser and other technologies. Allowing more light to enter the eyes Low vision has various causes, including severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, cataracts, and glaucoma. Although there are vision aids such as magnifying glasses and video magnifiers, they cannot correct vision to the point where the user can see the facial expressions of others or go out unaccompanied. A leading company in quantum dot laser technology, QD Laser, Inc. conducted research in a NEDO project and commercialized an eyewear device that mitigates the inconvenience people with low vision experience based on its semiconductor laser and optical design technologies. The device, RETISSA, has a miniature laser projector inside its frame which sends RGB laser beam MEMS mirror Schematic Reflecting mirror a red-green-blue (RGB) laser beam that directly projects images onto the user s retina using a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror and hemispherical reflecting mirror. This method allows vision aid even for people with cornea or lens problems. Realizing a convenient eyewear device through downsizing and resolution enhancement The idea of directly projecting images onto the retina is not new, but the bulkiness of such devices in the past has prevented them from becoming popular. In light of this, QD Laser, Inc. worked to develop compact, lightweight MEMS reflecting mirrors, front-imaging cameras, and other optical parts and control devices, and created an eyewear device that can be worn just like regular eyeglasses. To form a clear image, the company also worked to enhance the resolution of images projected onto the retina. Although existing visible light laser technology was used, the development of RETISSA involved the adjustment of laser beam thickness and optical design to correct the distortion of images projected onto the retina so that the images would Crystalline lens Projection onto retina Examination and application Social welfare Visual compensation Telemedicine Medical care Low-vision aid not blur. To ensure user safety, RETISSA enables imaging with a laser that is weaker than indoor lamps and meets the most stringent safety standards, based on international and domestic standards for laser product safety (IEC 60825-1/JIS C 6802) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations. These research and development results have earned RETISSA many awards, including the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (received jointly with Fujitsu) and the U.S. Media Panel Innovation Award (Grand Prix) at CEATEC 2016. In 2018, the release of a wearable display using RETISSA technologies is scheduled. (Interview: October 2017) Virtual reality Business Operational support Smart glasses Entertainment Augmented reality I T Extended functionality for vision Connections with the cloud Using a laser beam composed of red, green, and blue light (the three primary colors of light), images are projected onto the retina after being sent to the MEMS mirror, reflecting mirror, and pupil of the eye. (Data courtesy of QD Laser, Inc.) QD Laser Inc. s roadmap for application of its retinal imaging technology. It starts with the social welfare and medical care sectors and the goal of making RETISSA smart glasses with IT functionality. (Data courtesy of QD Laser, Inc.) 14 NEDO PROJECT SUCCESS STORIES 2018 SUCCESS STORIES 15