Not quite x-ray glasses, but 2AI Labs have introduced glasses that claim to ‘amplif[y] one’s view of the emotions and health visible in the color and pallor of other people’s skin.’ The glasses, O2Amps, build on the eye’s natural ability to gauge emotions and health- red cheeks indicate embarrassment and yellow or green tint often signal an upset stomach.
The rose-tinted glasses go beyond these simple signals, able to notice minute changes not visible to the naked eye. The technology behind the glasses stems from lead researcher Mark Changizi’s study of color vision in primates while at CalTech; he learned that over time, color vision has evolved to ‘sense oxygenation modulations in the hemoglobin under the skin,’ explaining why, with a blind eye, you can tell if someone is embarrassed–it’s the oxygen levels under their skin changing.
The O2Amps, like their name suggests, amplifies what the wearer is able to read about those around him. While they could have many practical applications- like being able to see through someone’s ‘poker face’ in gambling, Changizi sees the greatest potential in medicine, helping make patient diagnosis easier for doctors.
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