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Following the successful development of functional invisibility shields in 2022, U.K.-based Invisibility Shield Co. has launched its second-generation invisibility shields on Kickstarter. Among the products is the “Megashield,” which the company claims is the largest one ever created.
According to a report on designboom.com, more than four years ago the company focused on refining optical technologies to render people and objects invisible in broad daylight. The new shields prioritize convenience, featuring a compact design that collapses to 1/30th of their assembled size, making the shields easy to transport.
Previous products were just eight inches tall and three feet tall. The new Megashield is about six feet tall and can conceal more than one individual. It has ergonomic handles for easy carrying and it’s freestanding for more versatility in usage. Each unit is waterproof, battery-free, and constructed from 100 percent recyclable materials.
The company achieved its goal using ultra-large, precision-engineered lens arrays. These arrays, forming the shield’s face, redirect light bouncing off the person behind the shield away from the observer, rendering them invisible. The lenses’ configuration causes background light from either side of the shield to spread over its face and be directed towards the observer, effectively cloaking what is behind it.
One might expect that military interest and funding is backing this enterprise, but that’s not the case. Designer Tristan Thompson says, “The possibilities are endless, but most importantly, these shields are great fun. A real working invisibility shield that you can just roll up and sling over your shoulder? Two years ago, nobody thought anyone could do that.”