“We predicted from the beginning that it would look like an unprecedented colour signal, but we didn’t know what the brain would do with it” – Ren NG, University of California
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, claim to have discovered a new colour, dubbed Olo, after firing laser pulses into the eyes of five participants. Described as “blue-green” but “incredibly saturated” and “jaw-dropping,” the colour reportedly cannot be replicated through natural light or digital displays.
The laser-based device, called Oz vision, stimulates the M cone in the human retina—one normally untouched by natural light. “We predicted from the beginning that it would look like an unprecedented colour signal, but we didn’t know what the brain would do with it,” said Ren Ng, an electrical engineer involved in the project.
A turquoise square was released to visually represent the hue, although scientists admit it fails to capture the full experience. “There is no way to convey that colour in an article or on a monitor,” said vision scientist Austin Roorda. “The colour we see is a version of it, but it absolutely pales by comparison with the experience of Olo.”
However, some experts are skeptical. “It is not a new colour,” said John Barbur of City University, arguing the team’s work has “limited value.”
Researchers hope the discovery may lead to advancements in understanding visual perception and vision-related diseases.