Laser beams that appear as a small dot up close spread out significantly over distance, and when combined with a scratched or curved cockpit windshield, can scatter into a wide glare across a pilot's field of view. This is especially dangerous during takeoff and landing, when planes fly low and pilots' eyes are already dilated at night, raising the risk of temporary flash blindness. Helicopters, including police, medical and news choppers, face even greater exposure since they frequently fly low over populated areas after dark.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-31
An IPVM investigation found that disabling a security camera with a laser pointer is far harder than popularly believed. Only high-powered lasers held perfectly still for about 10 seconds could cause lasting damage, and testers struggled to keep a beam steady on a lens even from five feet away. Legal handheld laser pointers, capped at 5mW output under FDA rules, generally produce only temporary glare rather than permanent harm.
engadget.com
· 2026-10-18
A developer released Laser Graffiti, a Show HN project that pairs a webcam and projector so anyone can draw on a wall using a handheld laser pointer. The software tracks the laser dot and projects effects like glowing neon trails, dripping ink, or spinning 3D shapes over the strokes in real time. The creator says the project was inspired by an older video of artists laser-tagging buildings with projectors.
laser.consti.de
· 2026-08-29
GoKawiil