A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, has discovered a new color dubbed “Olo” that can only be seen by being shot in the eye with a laser. The color is described as a deep, rich blue-greenish hue that cannot be seen with the naked human eye.
According to Ren Ng, an electrical engineer and computer science professor at Berkeley, Olo is the most intense teal color that can be seen in the world. To see Olo, specific stimulation of the M cone cells in the eye is required, which does not occur in natural vision.
The researchers used laser light to stimulate the M cone cells, allowing five human subjects to see the color Olo. The technology has potential applications beyond just presenting a new color, such as helping those with colorblindness and studying retinal diseases.
Ng stated that the discovery of Olo is “a starting point” and not an end point, indicating that further research will be needed to refine and perfect the technology. While Olo cannot be seen in its pure form, it may potentially appear on virtual reality headsets or through other technological means.
The researchers hope their work will lead to new discoveries in vision science, including improved understanding of how the brain perceives color and better interpretation of retinal diseases.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/23/new-color-what-is-olo/83229986007