Lumus PD-18-2 - Cons

Lumus PD-18-2 on Prezi

The Lumus PD-18-2 is a cutting edge innovation in the realm of electronic displays. Along with its new technology and uses, new potential threats and dangers also arise. The Lumus is a pair of glasses that displays images and information on the lens itself which is in your direct field of vision. You would have to take them off entirely in order to completely clear your path of vision. Considering that the Lumus was initially created to assist drivers with a GPS system, it would be very dangerous to be using a pair of glasses that is constantly displaying moving images and flashing colors at you as you drive. A normal GPS contains sufficient dangers by itself which is located on the side of your field of vision and only makes up a small part of your entire vision. These glasses would take up your entire field of vision making it difficult to concentrate on anything beyond them, let alone the road. In addition to the Lumus being a distraction simply by its method of use, it would also be a distraction as users would have to focus on both the road ahead and the information being transmitted onto the lens. In terms of driving safety, this is very dangerous as a lack of concentration for a split second can be disastrous and is not helped by the fact that the lens is close to the eye, forcing the eye to refocus every time it looks at the road and lens, and vice versa due to a different in focal length.

The Lumus’ physical composition can also be a hindrance as it is relatively heavy due to the technology integrated. This may cause discomfort for users and may be impractical for long periods of usage such as out-of-town drives. The design of the Lumus also eliminates users’ peripheral vision, an aspect that is essential to drivers. This poses a huge danger as users’ ability to see and make judgments is significantly affected. Another limitation due to its composition is the fact that only one person can wear it at a time, which means only one person can use and see the display at a time. This difference between a regular GPS or display screen deprives users the ability to share information. For example, often drivers receive instructions from the passenger beside them who are looking at the GPS rather than the driver themselves. This way, it is safer as drivers can pay full attention to the road ahead rather than needing to multitask by attending the GPS simultaneously. With the Lumus, the driver has no choice but to look at the GPS as he is the only one who can see it.

A negative implication of this technology is overdependence on technology as a whole as relying on it heavily rather than using it as a tool. Technology follows us wherever we go and we start to lose other abilities such as reading and interpreting maps. Skills are being lost or simply never attained due to technology and in effect may make people lazier. The more we rely on technology, the harder it will be to survive without it if a situation or crisis occurs where there is no access to the technology. Another result of overdependence on technology is the reduced interaction with other people. In Alone Together, Turkle discusses this troubling concept as she points out that it is becoming a reality that we live with the continuous presence of screens. With socializing diminishing, we will start to lose current and past connections and relationships that are established, as well as potential future bonds that are less likely to be formed.