Proximity free space optical interconnect

A system comprising:

• a chassis;
• a first blade for insertion in a slot of the chassis, the first blade including:
• a first optical media that is flexible and able to guide a plurality of optical signals;
• and
• a first connector optically coupled to the first optical media, the first connector having first alignment features and providing a plurality of first paths for the optical signals;
• and
• a second blade for insertion in a slot of the chassis, the second blade including a second connector having second alignment features and providing a plurality of second paths for the optical signals, wherein:
• the first connector and the second connector include components of a mechanism that brings the first connector and the second connector together when the first connector is near the second connector;
• the chassis has first and second slots positioned so that the first blade being in the first slot and the second blade being in the second slot causes the mechanism to bring the first and second connectors together;
• and
• the first alignment features are shaped to mate with the second alignment features and to shift at least one of the first connector and the second connector relative to the other connector into a seated position as the first connector and the second connector move toward each other, the first paths being aligned with the second paths when the first and second connectors are in the seated position.