10/2011

US AIR FORCE AWARDS PHASE II SBIR CONTRACT TO SBG LABS TO DEVELOP EYE TRACKER FOR AVIONICS HELMET SYSTEMS

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct. 1st, 2011 - Switchable Bragg Grating (SBG) Labs, the leader in the development of state-of-the-art electro-holographic materials and devices for use in Augmented and Virtual Reality displays, announced the recent award of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II contract to develop a novel, compact, lightweight eye-tracking system for Avionic Helmet Systems. The project is sponsored by the AF Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH.

A vexing problem for our combat pilots is the small field of view (FOV) afforded by existing Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMD), limited essentially by whatever head mobility will permit. SGB Labs has developed an elegant game-changing solution to this challenging problem by successfully designing a compact, lightweight eye-tracking system using their proprietary SBG technology to replace bulky, heavy refractive optics. Moreover, this eye-tracking system is totally compatible with their innovative wide-FOV HMD technology. Phase I demonstrated proof-of-concept for an IR system, while reducing the required number of SBG layers from 4 to 1 in the final design, cleverly combining both illumination and imaging paths in the same substrate. Phase II will focus on expanding the system FOV, improving safety by migrating from glass to plastic substrates, and demonstrating compatibility with SBG Labs’ revolutionary Helmet-Mounted Display. Will this technology be used in combat?

Labs project leader Dr. Jonathan Waldern commented, "The Air Force has expressed confidence in our design and proof-of-concept demonstration for this novel eye-tracking system. Encouraged by the positive Phase I results, we look forward to delivering a successful prototype that satisfies their demanding requirements for compactness, safety and durability."

About SBG Labs Inc. Located in Silicon Valley, California, with worldwide distribution and support, SBG Labs Inc. is an optical technology company that has developed a revolutionary new electrically switchable holographic device called a Switchable Bragg Grating. The electro-holographic optical technology merges breakthroughs in nano material science and optical software processing by recording holographic optics into its proprietary nanocomposite electro-optical material. SBG technology has broad applications in many everyday products, including displays, imaging, optical switches and integrated optical micro devices.