Magic Leap is 'the only safe way forward' for VR/AR dev, says CEO

Magic Leap CEO Rony Abovitz shed a bit more light on what sets the "cinematic reality" startup apart from competitors like Oculus VR while taking part in a brief "Ask Me Anything" thread today on Reddit.

The whole thread is worth reading for developers and industry watchers interested in the future of virtual reality or augmented reality devices, especially the bit where Abovitz paints Magic Leap as a potentially healthier alternative to contemporary VR/AR head-mounted devices which render images in stereoscopic 3D.

"We at Magic Leap believe these inputs into the eye-brain system are incorrect - and can cause a spectrum of temporary and/or permanent neurologic deficits," wrote Abovitz. "At Magic Leap we created a digital light-field signal technology that respects the biology of the human eye-brain system in a profound and safe way."

According to a recent MIT Technology Review report, Magic Leap is developing an "itty-bitty projector that shines light into your eyes -- light that blends in extremely well with the light you’re receiving from the real world" with money from Google and the creative input of Neal Stephenson.

Abovitz posits that "the ONLY safe way forward is to make a digital light field that is naturally tuned into your brain and physiology" because "the brain is very neuroplastic - and there is no doubt that near-eye stereoscopic 3d systems have the potential to cause neurologic change."

Abovitz offered no practical advice on what developers can do to mitigate potential harm caused by stereoscopic 3D experiences, though he did note that Magic Leap aims to roll out prototype hardware to qualified developers by the end of the year.