NEC announces retinal imaging display glasses

Researchers are developing a pair of glasses that can automatically translate spoken words and display the text on the user's retina.

NEC's 'Tele Scouter' glasses incorporate a compact camera and microphone which captures foreign language audio and transmits it to a small computer worn on the user's wrist. The data is then transmitted to a remote server which translates the words from speech to text and transmits this back to the glasses. The translated text is then projected in the wearer's peripheral vision. NEC plans to sell the Tele Scouter to businesses in 2010 as a wearable, hands free data display. The Japanese company says other uses include allowing engineers to install hardware without the need to refer to user guides and aiding sales staff by providing information about a client's buying history.