Mojo Vision Lens
The Mojo Vision Lens (also known as Mojo Lens) was a revolutionary augmented reality smart contact lens prototype developed by Mojo Vision, first publicly demonstrated at CES 2020 and internally tested on human eyes in 2022 before the project was paused in January 2023. Representing the most ambitious attempt to miniaturize AR technology into a contact lens form factor, the Mojo Lens featured a 0.5mm diameter micro-LED display achieving an unprecedented 14,000 pixels per inch with 1.8-micron pixel pitch—the world's smallest and densest dynamic display. The monochrome green display (chosen for optimal human eye sensitivity) provided a 15° field of view projecting directly onto the retina through a miniature reverse Cassegrain telescope, with eye-controlled navigation via built-in accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers. The lens incorporated an ARM M0 processor, custom GPU, proprietary power management circuit, medical-grade thin-film solid-state micro-battery, and 5GHz ultra-low-latency radio (Bluetooth being too slow) for communication with a separate neck-worn "Relay" companion device handling heavy computation and connectivity. Features included up to 14x zoom capability for vision enhancement. The custom scleral lens design vaulted the cornea for comfortable wear and was being prepared for FDA clinical trials before the company pivoted in January 2023 due to economic conditions, laying off 75% of staff to focus on licensing its micro-LED technology.
| Mojo Vision Lens | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Contact Lens |
| Subtype | Smart Contact Lens, Micro-LED AR |
| Platform | Proprietary (Mojo Relay companion device) |
| Creator | Mojo Vision |
| Developer | Mojo Vision |
| Manufacturer | Mojo Vision |
| Announcement Date | January 2020 (CES) |
| Release Date | Prototype only (project paused January 2023) |
| Price | N/A (prototype) |
| Website | https://www.mojo.vision/ |
| Versions | Mojo Lens prototype |
| Requires | Mojo Relay companion device (neck-worn) |
| Predecessor | None |
| Successor | None (project pivoted to micro-LED technology licensing) |
| System | |
| Operating System | Proprietary embedded OS |
| Chipset | Custom ARM M0 processor, GPU |
| CPU | ARM M0 (low-power) |
| GPU | Custom integrated GPU |
| Storage | |
| Storage | Minimal on-device |
| Memory | Minimal on-device |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | 0.5mm micro-LED (14,000 PPI) |
| Subpixel Layout | Monochrome green |
| Peak Brightness | High (direct to retina) |
| Resolution | 14,000 PPI display |
| Pixel Density | 14,000 PPI |
| Refresh Rate | Variable |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 15° |
| Horizontal FoV | 15° |
| Vertical FoV | 15° |
| Average Pixel Density | Extremely high |
| Peak Pixel Density | Extremely high |
| Foveated Rendering | Eye-tracked dynamic |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Reverse Cassegrain telescope |
| Ocularity | Per-eye (single lens demo) |
| IPD Range | N/A (contact lens) |
| Adjustable Diopter | Custom scleral fit |
| Passthrough | Full (contact lens) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | Eye tracking (IMU sensors) |
| Tracking Frequency | Continuous |
| Base Stations | None (relay device) |
| Eye Tracking | Yes (built-in accelerometer/gyroscope/magnetometer) |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes (eye movement) |
| Positional Tracking | No |
| Update Rate | Continuous |
| Tracking Volume | Eye-directed |
| Play Space | Unlimited (contact lens) |
| Latency | Ultra-low (5GHz radio) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Via companion device |
| Microphone | Via companion device |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | N/A |
| Camera | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Proprietary 5GHz radio |
| Ports | None (contact lens) |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | Yes (5GHz to relay) |
| WiFi | No (5GHz proprietary) |
| Bluetooth | No (too slow/high latency) |
| Power | Medical-grade micro-battery |
| Battery Capacity | Micro-battery (thin-film solid-state) |
| Battery Life | Daily use (overnight charging) |
| Charge Time | Overnight (cleaning/charging case) |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Contact lens form factor |
| Weight | Contact lens weight |
| Material | Custom scleral lens material |
| Headstrap | N/A (contact lens) |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Transparent with embedded components |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer |
| Input | Eye gaze/movement, blink detection |
| Compliance | FDA clinical trials (pursued) |
History and Development
Mojo Vision Founding
Company origins:
- Founded 2015
- Saratoga, California
- Invisible computing vision
- Contact lens AR goal
CES 2020 Announcement
Public debut:
- January 2020 reveal
- Technology demonstration
- Industry attention
- $108M+ funding raised
2022 Human Testing
Milestone achievement:
- CEO Drew Perkins wore lens
- First human eye testing
- Functional prototype
- Validation success
January 2023 Pivot
Project pause:
- Funding challenges
- Economic conditions
- 75% staff layoff
- Pivot to micro-LED licensing
Design Philosophy
Invisible Computing
Core vision:
- No visible device
- Contact lens form
- Natural interaction
- Seamless integration
Direct Retinal Display
Display approach:
- Light directly to retina
- No external optics
- Private viewing
- Ultimate discretion
Eye-Controlled Interface
Interaction concept:
- Eye movement navigation
- Gaze selection
- Blink commands
- Natural control
Vision Enhancement
Capability focus:
- Information overlay
- Zoom capability
- Visual assistance
- Accessibility aid
Display Technology
Micro-LED Display
Screen specifications:
- Diameter: 0.5mm
- PPI: 14,000 pixels per inch
- Pixel pitch: 1.8 microns
- World's smallest dynamic display
Monochrome Green
Color choice:
- Green wavelength
- Optimal eye sensitivity
- Power efficiency
- Clear visibility
Retinal Projection
Optical system:
- Reverse Cassegrain telescope
- Direct retinal imaging
- Miniaturized optics
- Precise projection
Field of View
Visual coverage:
- FOV: 15°
- Moves with eye
- Gaze-directed content
- Dynamic positioning
Processing
On-Lens Computing
Embedded systems:
- Processor: ARM M0
- GPU: Custom integrated
- Low-power design
- Essential processing
Relay Companion
External processing:
- Neck-worn device
- Heavy computation
- Application hosting
- Connectivity hub
5GHz Radio
Communication:
- Frequency: 5GHz proprietary
- Ultra-low latency
- Bluetooth too slow
- Custom protocol
Eye Tracking
Built-In Sensors
Tracking hardware:
- Custom accelerometers
- Gyroscopes
- Magnetometers
- Continuous tracking
Eye-Controlled UI
Navigation:
- Gaze direction
- Dwell selection
- Blink activation
- Natural interaction
Zoom Capability
Vision enhancement:
- Up to 14x zoom
- Vision augmentation
- Detail enhancement
- Accessibility feature
Power System
Micro-Battery
Power source:
- Medical-grade battery
- Thin-film solid-state
- Micro-scale capacity
- FDA-compatible
Power Management
Efficiency:
- Proprietary PMIC
- Ultra-low power design
- Optimized consumption
- All-day capability
Wireless Charging
Charging system:
- Combined cleaning/charging case
- Overnight charging
- Wireless power transfer
- Daily refresh
Physical Design
Scleral Lens
Form factor:
- Custom scleral design
- Vaults the cornea
- Comfortable fit
- Extended wear
Custom Fitting
Personalization:
- Individual measurement
- Custom manufacturing
- Precise fit
- Professional fitting
Materials
Construction:
- Contact lens materials
- Medical-grade components
- Biocompatible
- FDA-targeted
Use Cases
Vision Enhancement
Accessibility:
- Low vision assistance
- Magnification
- Contrast enhancement
- Reading aid
Information Display
Heads-up information:
- Navigation
- Notifications
- Quick glance data
- Hands-free info
Professional Applications
Specialized use:
- Medical professionals
- Field workers
- Athletes
- Security applications
Challenges and Limitations
Technical Challenges
Engineering difficulties:
- Miniaturization extreme
- Power constraints
- Heat management
- Connectivity
Market Challenges
Business obstacles:
- Funding requirements
- Unproven market
- Long development cycle
- Economic conditions
Regulatory Path
FDA considerations:
- Medical device classification
- Clinical trials required
- Safety validation
- Long approval process
Project Status
January 2023 Announcement
Pivot decision:
- Development paused
- Funding shortage
- Staff reductions (75%)
- Technology pivot
Current Focus
Company direction:
- Micro-LED technology licensing
- Display expertise
- B2B focus
- Technology monetization
Comparison with AR Display Technologies
| Feature | Mojo Lens | Smart Glasses | VR Headsets | AR Headsets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Contact lens | Glasses | Head-worn | Head-worn |
| Weight | Grams | 50-150g | 400-700g | 250-600g |
| FOV | 15° | 20-50° | 90-120° | 40-100° |
| Display | 14K PPI micro-LED | Waveguide/prism | LCD/OLED | Waveguide/prism |
| Tracking | Eye movement | Head | Full body | Head + hand |
| Passthrough | Full natural | Optical see-through | Camera passthrough | Optical/video |
| Status | Paused | Commercial | Commercial | Commercial |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Contact lens form factor (invisible)
- 14,000 PPI world's densest display
- Eye-controlled interface
- 14x zoom capability
- Direct retinal projection
- No head-worn device
- Natural full passthrough
- Medical-grade components
- FDA clinical trial path
Limitations
- Project paused (January 2023)
- 15° limited field of view
- Requires companion relay device
- Custom fitting required
- Battery/power constraints
- Unproven mass market
- Regulatory challenges
- High development costs
- Single-eye demo only
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 0.5mm micro-LED |
| PPI | 14,000 pixels per inch |
| Pixel Pitch | 1.8 microns |
| FOV | 15° |
| Color | Monochrome green |
| Processor | ARM M0 + custom GPU |
| Radio | 5GHz proprietary |
| Tracking | Eye movement (IMU sensors) |
| Battery | Medical-grade micro-battery |
| Status | Development paused (2023) |