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New Technique Allows the Eye to See a Color Never Before Encountered. Understand the Experiment That “Gave Life” to the Color Olo!

Written by Roberta Souza
Published on 23/04/2025 at 13:41
olho, retina, cor
Foto: Reprodução CBN
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Only 5 People in the World Have Seen the Color “olo”, Created with a Laser That Tricks the Retina

Have you ever imagined seeing a color that no one else in the world can see? Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley achieved the impossible: creating a new color for the human eye. The experiment, conducted using precision lasers and advanced eye tracking, allowed five volunteers to see a shade that simply does not exist in nature or on screens, according to the MSN website.

How Is It Possible to See a New Color?

Through the Oz Vision platform, researchers used microdoses of laser to activate only the M cones in the retina (sensitive to green light), without interfering with the L (red) or S (blue) cones. This selective activation tricked the brain, creating a new visual perception: a color dubbed “olo”, an ultra-saturated blend of green and blue — impossible to describe or represent.

“It’s a sensation of seeing something completely outside of what we know as visual reality,” reported one of the volunteers.

YouTube Video

What Is the Oz Vision System?

The revolutionary technology combines:

Ultra-thin lasers
High-precision moving mirrors
Real-time optical sensors
Eye tracking software (nicknamed Wizard)

With it, each cone of the retina can be individually stimulated, even with the eye in constant motion.

Why Is the Discovery So Important?

The color “olo” cannot be printed, displayed on screens, or described with words
It is visible only with direct stimulation of the retina
It could represent a new sensory dimension for humans

In tests, participants were exposed to all colors of the visible spectrum and could not compare “olo” to any of them.

Future: Colors for the Colorblind and Beyond

The technique also has the potential to create “virtual cones”, which could allow colorblind individuals to see a wider range of colors. In tests with primates, scientists have already succeeded in expanding color perception — and hope for similar results in humans.

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Roberta Souza

Author for the Click Petróleo e Gás portal since 2019, responsible for publishing over 8,000 articles that have garnered millions of views, combining technical expertise, clarity, and engagement to inform and connect readers. A Petroleum Engineer with a postgraduate degree in Industrial Unit Commissioning, I also bring practical experience and background in the agribusiness sector, which broadens my perspective and versatility in producing specialized content. I develop content topics, disseminate job opportunities, and create advertising materials tailored for the industry audience. For content suggestions, job vacancy promotion, or advertising proposals, please contact via email: santizatagpc@gmail.com. We do not accept resumes

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