‘Invisibility Shield’ You Can Buy Lets You Stay Hidden In Plain Sight, Wherever

Image via Invisibility Shield Co.

If public spaces aren’t your jam, but you still have to be there, look no further than this real-life, working Invisibility Shield. Turning science fiction into science fact is London-based Invisibility Shield Co., which has designed a screen with the ability to bend light and cloak its user from view. It’s a “superpower” you can carry on the go, much like a suit that promises its superhero wearer true elasticity or lightning speed.

This is version 2.0, superseding the first in terms of portability and keeping hiders obscured. Unlike what is portrayed by the invisibility cloak in Harry Potter, the Invisibility Shield 2.0 is a clear, curved sheet of high-grade polycarbonate held upright by a frame. Its masking secret lies in a special lens array across the surface, which bounces light around the object behind the screen to create a distorted view for observers.

Image via Invisibility Shield Co.

Notably, you won’t have to stay put at a single hideout. Ergonomic grips enable the user to grab, go, and stay hidden on the move.

Image via Invisibility Shield Co.

In essence, while you’ll blend into the background, you won’t become completely invisible. A video demonstrating the innovation sees some shading where people are supposed to be.

Image via Invisibility Shield Co.

Nonetheless, the high-tech mirage is “bigger, lighter, and more powerful than ever,” describe its makers, with a curved surface for more coverage. It’s also recyclable and 100% waterproof, perfect for hermits and hermit crabs alike to stay unseen at the beach.

Image via Invisibility Shield Co.

“Instead of using adhesives to bond layers of material, the main body of each shield is now extruded from a single piece of material,” they explain further. “This allows more light to pass through, creating a brighter, clearer and more vibrant rendering of the background.” The removal of adhesives also means the barrier is free of air bubbles and fingerprints, making the illusion more convincing.

Expanding from the original, the 2.0 now comes in two sizes: a Full Size for personal use, standing 3.3 feet by 2.3 feet tall, and a ‘Megashield’ option that can conceal multiple people, measuring six feet by four feet. Each folds down to a fraction of their extended size for easy transportation.

Image via Invisibility Shield Co.

While the invention is more attainable than the stuff made up by Hollywood, it remains a Kickstarter project. All told, the gift of invisibility seems to be a shared dream among many—with under two months to go before the end of its crowdfunding campaign, the Invisibility Shield 2.0 has raised over £79,000 (US$100,000), surpassing its modest £10,000 goal.

Image via Invisibility Shield Co.

[via Invisibility Shield Co.]