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A New Colour is Born: Meet ‘OLO’ – The First Human-Perceived Hue Outside the Visible Spectrum
At VeriVide, we live and breathe colour. So, when the news broke that scientists had discovered a completely new colour—not a variant or pigment, but a hue never before perceived by the human eye—we had to take a closer look.
This discovery, dubbed ‘OLO’, marks a fascinating step forward in the science of colour perception. It’s not just a breakthrough for vision research—it may change the way we think about colour in design, technology, and quality control.
Photo credit: BBC News
What Exactly is ‘OLO’?
‘OLO’ is a newly perceived colour that does not exist on the traditional visible spectrum. That means it’s not created by mixing wavelengths of light like red, green, or blue. Instead, scientists achieved it by using precise laser stimulation directly on the retina, effectively bypassing the usual pathways our visual system uses to interpret colour.
This form of stimulation activated specific cone cells (the receptors in our eyes responsible for colour vision) in a unique way, producing a colour experience that none of the five study participants could describe using any known terminology.
It’s not purple. It’s not orange. It’s… OLO. Something entirely outside the current boundaries of perception.
Photo credit: Pantone X account
Why we need to be cautious
Olo was observed by only five participants of an experiment at the University of California who published a paper in the journal Science Advances. They claim that the laser was able to target stimulation of the M cones (which respond to green) without stimulating the S cones (blue) or the L cones (red), producing a very saturated version of teal green which does not occur naturally. In real world colour vision this would not happen as all the cones have a broad spectral sensitivity. It has certainly prompted discussion among experts with some declaring it is new way of seeing what’s already there rather than a new colour.
Why This Matters to the World of Colour and Light
At VeriVide, we support industries that rely on accurate, consistent colour assessment—from textiles and automotive to packaging and cosmetics. While ‘OLO’ won’t be showing up in a standard light booth any time soon, its discovery opens new questions about how we define and measure colour.
This research underscores a critical truth: colour is not just a property of objects—it’s a perceptual experience. And as science evolves, our tools and terminology must evolve with it.
Key takeaways for industry professionals include:
- Cone-specific perception matters: Technologies that can engage the eye’s individual photoreceptors may shape how we view and calibrate colour in the future.
- Expanded colour spaces: We may eventually need to re-think colour spaces like sRGB, CIE Lab, or even CIECAM to include perceptual anomalies or “non-spectral” experiences.
- Advanced visual technologies: This discovery could inform innovations in digital displays, virtual reality, and lighting systems, especially those simulating environments or sensory inputs beyond typical human capabilities.
What’s Next?
Currently, OLO can only be experienced under lab conditions. However, its discovery hints at a future where our understanding of vision—and our ability to manipulate it—expands dramatically.
As leaders in standardized lighting and visual assessment, we’re always watching the frontier of colour science. Could this pave the way for broader applications in VR design, colour-critical manufacturing, or even new forms of digital colour communication? Only time will tell.
One thing is certain: OLO is a reminder that there are still colours out there we’ve never experience. At VeriVide, we’re excited to be part of the journey to see—and measure—whatever comes next.
If you want to find out more about colour related topics, contact our colour specialist, Georgina Boulter g.boulter@verivide.com or fill out a contact sheet here and we will be in touch!
