A new colour is discovered

While the new colour, olo, is currently seen only under lab conditions, phone displays and VR sets suddenly have new horizons to explore

- REWATI KARAN

WE THOUGHT THERE'S VIBGYOR and shades of it and we have seen all the colours possible to be seen. A new study sort of dents that claim. And comes up with a new one - that a new colour named 'olo' exists which only five humans have ever seen. A team of researchers said they used laser manipulation of the retina and discovered a brand new colour, one which has not been experienced by human eyes. They have called it 'olo' and it's not just a new colour but a different type that cannot be shared, exhibited or even described accurately yet.

This technological finding could reshape our understanding of neural pathways. It may also lead to breakthroughs in vision therapy, or even pave the way for immersive technologies. Medically, researchers might learn more about colour blindness or diseases that affect vision such as retinitis pigmentosa by such stimulation of cells in the retina. While researchers say the world is not going to see olo yet as it is lab produced, it cannot be used in any technology anytime soon, but it may open possibilities for smartphone displays, TVs or VR headset technology in future.

The scientists developed a prototype 'Oz' using advanced retinal imaging and stimulation technology to target specific cone cells in the retina with a laser light. They employed a technique used to measure living retinal cells that simultaneously images and stimulates the retina.