Critical technology enablers for near-to-eye AR and VR

Virtual reality (VR) and Augmented reality (AR) near-to-eye systems can offer virtual surround-the-user screen sizes, excellent portability, telepresence, and enhanced situational awareness, to name just a few attributes for both military and civilian applications. Advancements of 8 critical technology enablers may soon resolve the largest issues of economic, functionality, and human factors that have impeded broad-acceptance of near-to-eye imaging. There have recently been substantial improvements in these enabling technologies which are reaching critical viability or are moving out of earlystage research and development with cost-effective manufacturing potential. Each of these enabling technologies are discussed and their potential impact on the future of AR and VR assessed.