Kopin Off the Visor Heads Up Display A244-011-0119

In Phase1 of this Off-the-Visor (OTV) Heads Up Display (HUD) SBIR track, Kopin modeled three (3) daylight readable see-through solutions best suited for use in mixed reality (MR) head mounted display (HMD) systems. Kopin has completed it’s down selection for the best approach in Phase 1 based on good analysis of tradeoffs in performance, manufacturability, cost, weight, light security, power savings and other metrics. All of which, the Army finds to be critical to requirements for Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) and similar applications. This allows Kopin's efforts to develop and prototype this OTV HUD approach in this newly proposed Phase 2 approach. At the completion of Ph2, Kopin will deliver hardware suitable for characterization and end user trials which will help the Army illustrate a compelling case for integration of a visor optical solution on IVAS Next. With the use of microdisplays that are less than 1 inch diagonal, low profile OTV optics can be used to deliver up to 2000fL of daytime contrasting light to the user's eye, essential during combat and training conditions. Unlike other solution providers, Kopin is unique in it's ability to design and manufacture microdisplays optimized for soldier applications using OTV technology. Kopin also aims to improve how the soldier views the battlefield and training grounds in four critical areas, currently overlooked by previous solutions (Optical Performance, Binocular Disparities, Optical Coatings and Ergonomics). Optical performance and the quality of the visual experience will not be compromised. Near-eye limiting resolution, aberration controls like distortion, astigmatism, field curvature and image swim will be of utmost importance, because Kopin understands if an optical solution is uncomfortable to use, users will take it off.Binocular disparities will be mitigated as they are crucial to comfortable long-term operation. The human brain is extremely sensitive to binocular disparities, which are differences in alignment of the same information between two eyes. With natural vision, this is never an issue, but it is an issue when looking at a system with dual displays over a wide field of view.Optical coating technology will ensure a maximum see-through transmission (>50%) is provided to the soldier while bringing 2000fL of display brightness to the eye. This will allow soldiers to see the battlefield, even in darkening conditions while still having enough display brightness to the eye to be daytime readable in the brightest environments.Finally, Ergonomics will be an important modeling and design parameter. The layout and placement of the display system on the user's head must ensure a comfortable long-term use. Ensuring the moment of the system and it's center of gravity do mitigate neck strain as this is vital to extended usability for the selected OTV HUD solution that will be prototyped in Phase 2.