Augmented Reality Smart Glasses
Augmented reality (AR) smart glasses are a relatively new form of wearable technology. These devices combine real and virtual objects to provide an immersive experience.
AR glasses have a range of applications for the consumer and enterprise markets alike. For businesses, they can boost productivity and streamline processes.
Augmented reality
Augmented reality (AR) is a type of technology that overlays digital graphics, videos, animations, and three-dimensional holograms on top of real-world environments. It is used in various industries, including manufacturing, education, and healthcare.
AR smart glasses use a head-up display (HUD) to project visual information within the user’s field of view. These HUDs are based on an electronics stack of a projector, a combiner for capturing projected light, and a video processor that generates visual data.
It has been widely implemented in manufacturing, education, and healthcare industries as an efficient tool to improve work processes. For example, Lockheed Martin increased assembly process efficiency by 90% and Imperial College NHS Trust decreased ward times by 30% using HoloLens.
Similarly, AR-powered smart glasses can be used to improve worker safety and productivity by allowing employees to operate machinery hands-free. The glasses can show instructions on how to fix a broken machine and other important information without the need for physical contact with the equipment.
In addition to being a useful tool for workers, AR can also be used by businesses to enhance their products and services. Companies can develop new products and test them in virtual environments before spending time and money on expensive models and prototypes.
The technology can also be used in a variety of other ways to increase sales and customer satisfaction. For example, Wayfair’s app lets shoppers try out their favorite furniture pieces virtually. And Sherwin Williams allows customers to try out paint colors in their home without having to leave the comfort of their own home.
Another popular use of augmented reality is in comparison shopping in-store. The technology helps both online and brick-and-mortar stores provide shoppers with a more in-depth shopping experience than ever before.
Moreover, AR can be used to streamline and improve business operations by letting employees access their tasks from a remote location. Using intelligent apps, employees can stream their work and communicate with a colleague or supervisor through video chat.
If you want to benefit from AR glasses, you need to select a software solution that offers a wide range of features. These include clear AR annotations, file transfer, media display, CRM integration, knowledge library for instructions and best practices, robust security protocols, and analytics/reporting tools.
Wireless connectivity
Using wireless connectivity on ar smart glasses allows users to get information on top of what they see. They can also interact with virtual objects using touch, gestures and voice controls.
For example, a user can use their smart glasses to display a list of items in inventory. They can also read text messages, check stock prices and calendars.
They can also receive notifications from ar smart glasses a select group of people, filter out email or other alerts and control how they respond to them.
There are a few types of augmented reality glasses that offer this type of functionality. The most popular, the Google HoloLens, has been used in manufacturing, healthcare and education to improve efficiency.
Many of these smart glasses feature a camera that lets you take photos and videos of the objects in front of you. This can help you capture important information that you may otherwise miss while walking or driving.
Another important function of a smart glass is that they can be used to capture video in 3D. This is great for manufacturing and healthcare companies, where workers can view their products in real time.
Moreover, they can be used for remote training and knowledge transfer. This helps deskless employees to learn on the go and improve their efficiency.
For example, Sodexo has been using XpertEye with its smart glasses for its mining contracts in Australia to help city-based field workers understand and interact with remote sites.
These smart glasses are also being used to improve production at factories and warehouses. They can display assembly instructions, record client and customer information and even communicate with the employees.
They can be also used for medical purposes, allowing doctors to record patient histories or diagnose their condition in real-time.
Finally, they can be used to communicate with others via chat ar smart glasses or video calls. This can be helpful in educational settings as students can ask their peers questions about their assignments or homework.
The next generation of augmented reality technology will enable developers to create smart glasses that can connect to 5G networks and deliver rich, immersive experiences. The new chips from Qualcomm and T-Mobile are helping to make these devices possible.
Battery life
Battery life is a huge factor when it comes to ar smart glasses. You want to find a pair that can last for hours at a time without charging, so you can use them to your heart’s content while you’re out and about.
Luckily, there are plenty of options out there that meet this challenge. Some are lightweight and offer a two-day battery life, while others have impressive gimmicks like a floating virtual display that moves according to your eye position.
Bose’s Frames, which debuted at CES in 2018, offer some of the best audio capabilities out of any AR smart glasses we’ve seen. Their speakers are more than just a novelty, though; they can be controlled based on the environment and can even mute themselves if you decide to listen to music with headphones.
Snap Spectacles, meanwhile, have a couple of nifty features to keep you connected, but their main selling point is that they can record HD video and still images. They also have a nifty touch screen interface that lets you control your music and calls, as well as notifications.
Finally, Vuzix’s Ultralight has got all the smart glasses perks you could ask for in a very lightweight package. The device weighs just 38 grams, which is less than most other AR smart glasses, and offers a reported two-day battery life.
For the real magic, however, it’s hard to top the Moverio BT 300, which uses a gyroscopic display that moves relative to your eyes and head positions. Its gyroscopically driven 3D display is actually better than those on the HoloLens and Leap Magic, and is likely to impress you with its image fidelity. It’s also got a long battery life and a price tag that won’t break the bank, making it a great choice for outdoor sports enthusiasts and cyclists.
Price
Augmented reality smart glasses, as the name suggests, allow digital content to overlay the real world with helpful information. These can be helpful when navigating through the environment or looking for a specific product. Some models can also be used for training or to view point-of-view video.
Many of these devices are available at a range of price points, from budget models that will only cost you a few hundred dollars to expensive options with built-in cameras and Alexa integration. The most expensive AR smart glasses on the market are the Microsoft Hololens 2 and Google Glass, both of which cost around $3,500.
There are a number of other smart glasses on the market that support augmented reality, although these are typically less expensive than the Microsoft and Google offerings. These devices tend to be more focused on entertainment or fun gadgets rather than business applications.
These are not to be confused with virtual reality headsets or mixed reality headsets that require a computer to run them. Instead, these wearables use the smartphone to create the augmented environments, allowing users to enjoy the experience without spending as much money as they would with a dedicated device.
The Vuzux Blade is a great option for those who want to enjoy the benefits of AR without a high-end pair of smart glasses. It offers an 8MP camera and noise-canceling effects on the microphones, as well as a growing selection of AR apps in its app store.
This model of smart glasses is a favorite for outdoor athletes and cyclists who want to enjoy the benefits of AR without breaking the bank. It uses an OLED-based projector system to provide the AR display, and the battery can last for up to eight hours.
It also has a wide-angle HD front camera and different visor tints to make it easy to find a comfortable fit.
The Amazon Echo Frames offer the convenience of Alexa on your glasses, as well as the ability to listen to music or receive notifications from your phone via Bluetooth. You can even set the ambient microphone to only alert you to notifications from a selected list of contacts, or turn off the feature completely. They’re also a good choice for people who want a pair of AR glasses that can be used all day long. They’re a little heavier than other AR glasses, but they offer a longer battery life and are easier to fit than some of the more expensive models on our list.