Toshiba to launch first glasses-free 3D TV

Japanese electronics giant Toshiba plans to market the world's first 3D television that does not need special glasses later this year, a report said on Tuesday.

Toshiba will unveil three models of the television, which will cost several thousand dollars, before Christmas, the Yomiuri Shimbun said.

The company has developed a new system that emits a number of rays of light with various angles from the screen so that viewers can see stereoscopic images without glasses, the daily said.

"People can enjoy images in three dimensions from various positions and suffer less stress," it said.

Japan's major electronics makers launched 3D television this year, but sales have not been as strong as expected while many customers have complained of being irritated by the glasses.

However, a Toshiba spokeswoman said: "We are not in a position to make any announcement."

(c) 2010 AFP