Vuzix’s next-generation smart glasses have AR, microphone, earbuds, and noise-canceling and look like normal eyeglasses.
Smartglasses became known to people with the introduction of Google glass in 2013. It had integrated stills and a video camera. The smart glass did not break into the mainstream may be; because of the criticism that it could violate privacy laws. Google then continued to work on these glasses and announced the Google Glass Enterprise Edition in 2017.
Earlier this year (June 2020), Google acquired North, a pioneer in human-computer interfaces and smart glasses (Focal smart glasses).
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Smartglass Tech
Smartglasses work by superimposing an image on the glass through an optical head-mounted display or heads up display (HUD) or augmented reality (AR) overlay.
The glasses have the capability to show images as well as see through them and it usually supports wireless tech like Bluetooth or wifi.
As per the CES press release, “Vuzix has been working on wearable display technology for the last 20 years and we are excited to announce this culmination of breakthroughs in the development of our technology that opens the door for a new wave of consumer and enterprise smart glasses devices from Vuzix. A balance of technology, style, and substance is embodied in the industrial design and specifications of our Next Generation Smart Glasses,” said Paul Travers, President, and Chief Executive Officer at Vuzix.
Vuzix’s existing product the Blade Upgraded has received quite a few accolades as one of the best AR smart glasses. The new Next Generation Smart Glasses are even better. The glasses coming later in 2021 will have most of the capabilities that are offered by smartwatches or smartphones. With completely see-through advanced waveguide optics and revolutionary micro-LED display engines, the glasses can be used indoors or outside.
Vuzix 3D see-through display powered with one of the smallest micro led display engine in the world these smart glasses allow you hands-free voice commands or simple gesture controls. The Rochester based company has been working on wearables for the last 20 years and has developed proprietary technologies like waveguides with holographic optics, laser, and micro-LED display integration. The binocular Waveguides are powered by a pair of tiny, highly efficient micro-LED projectors, one for each eye, generating crisp video with contextual information. At 1 micron in size, the micro-LEDs have one of the highest density pixel arrays available with both monochrome and full-color solutions in development.
Noise Cancelling in Smart Glass
The glasses come with multiple built-in noise-canceling microphones to help phone calls and voice / UI integration.
Earbuds
The smart glasses are also equipped with acoustic chambers integrated into the frames, Vuzix claims will deliver clear stereo sound targeted over the ears without losing ambient sound. These sound similar to the Bose frame smartglasses that had built-in stereo speakers. Bose used bone conduction technology.
Smartphone Integration:
Smartphone integration in these glasses provides enhanced hands-free operation. The smart glass comes with an on-board processor which wirelessly communicates with your phone and also has a built-in LTE cellular option. Using voice or tap on the touch-sensitive arm, the displays activate, allowing discrete connectivity to the world.
Vuzix’s next-generation smart glasses has received CES 2021 awards in three categories: Computer Peripherals & Accessories, Portable Media Players & Accessories, and Wearable Technologies. The CES Innovation Awards is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products.
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