AR glasses

A Tech Investor’s Take on the Apple Vision Pro

Apple Inc., apple vision pro, AR glasses, featured, Hardware, MR glasses, XR Talks / Rejus Almole / July 21, 2023

Apple’s entrance into the XR space via their announcement of the Apple Vision Pro was one of the most anticipated events in recent XR history. After years of hype build-up and frequent delays and rumors, the device itself left a lot of questions to be answered. I mulled over those questions with Neso Brands CTO Paulo Almeida in the 10th episode of the XR Talks podcast.

Years of Watching Apple

Neso Brands is an investment company specializing in tech-augmented eyewear. Naturally, their Chief Technical Officer has been carefully watching the Apple Vision Pro rumors for longer than many companies have been involved in XR at all.

“Somehow I’ve been following it for the last seven years,” said Almeida. “The job descriptions first showed up across the internet and that started the rumors, I’m going to say back in 2014, 2015.”

However, Almeida said that he had been waiting for something like an Apple headset for even longer than that – ever since he was, like so many others, disenchanted by the Google Glass device that launched in 2013. While this device first piqued Almeida’s interest in the future of XR wearables, he doesn’t think that it’s the real spiritual predecessor of consumer XR.

“The real pioneers of this are definitely Magic Leap and their waveguide lens is the future that I was expecting Apple to actually achieve some kind of breakthrough on,” said Almeida. “Magic Leap have been the true pioneers of trying to miniaturize all of these components and to make it into something that we could call smart glasses… not over-the-head displays.”

A Difference of Displays

Waveguide displays use a light engine and specialized lenses to project virtual content in front of the eye. Depending on the application, the wearer then looks at that content for a virtual screen application or through the lens to see their physical surroundings augmented by the virtual elements. It’s currently the dominant approach in lighter-weight, lower-cost AR devices.

As far as something like smart glasses go, Magic Leap is still pretty big and pretty expensive – and a fairly exclusive enterprise device. Campfire, also an enterprise-focused company, offers a smaller and lightweight headset that can offer VR as well as MR via the addition of a magnetic plate over the normally transparent lenses.

Micro-OLED displays essentially just put a screen in front of the wearer’s eyes. This approach has clear benefits in terms of image quality, brightness, field-of-view, and some other considerations at the trade-off of being more expensive and much heavier than waveguide displays. This is currently the dominant approach in VR devices – including the Apple Vision Pro.

Because the wearer can’t see through an OLED screen, AR and MR experiences are enabled through passthrough – which displays a video feed of the wearer’s surroundings which can then be augmented with virtual content. This is how virtually all AR/VR headsets – including the Apple Vision Pro – are able to offer both of those experiences on the same opaque screen.

An Extra Screen

There is one place where the benefits of a Micro-OLED display just don’t seem to justify the tradeoffs in terms of weight, cost, and power usage. That’s the giant screen on the front of the Apple Vision Pro that shows a virtual reproduction of the wearer’s eyes.

“I think it’s quite a useless feature, per se. Let’s put it this way: I think Apple just needed to put something there that would make the wow effect,” said Almeida. “They’re taking what I would call ‘The Tesla Approach’ of showing what they’re capable of and then saying ‘now wait a few more years, we’re now going to go into mass production, design something simple.’”

The fact that the headset is called “Pro” has led many to the conclusion that Apple is going to release a standard version of the headset, which might well do without some bells and whistles – like the virtual eyes.

“I definitely think that they should offer options with and without the front feature and I can almost guarantee most people would go without because it would probably be a good $500 or $600 cheaper, the battery would probably last a little bit longer,” said Almeida. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a version called the ‘Apple Vision Mini’ or ‘Apple Vision S’.”

Controller-Free Design

While the Apple Vision Pro has more screens than most VR headsets, it has fewer controllers. In fact, Apple is adamant about the Pro not having or needing controllers but getting along with eye and hand tracking as its only inputs.

“That’s one of the points where they’re definitely innovating,” said Almeida. “If there are a few hidden gems on the Apple Vision Pro, eye tracking and hand tracking are among them.”

I specifically brought up gaming as one use case where I feel that a controller is still necessary. Almeida had his perspective but toward the end of the episode, I also invited 3lbXR and 3lb Games founder and CEO Robin Moulder up from the audience knowing that she has an interesting perspective on game input.

Hardware Integrations and Third-Party Companies

A recurring point in the conversation was the room around the Apple Vision Pro itself for accessories, whether from Apple or from 3rd party developers. Almeida sees gaming and input in general as one of these opportunities.

“To play a game, having the feeling of a real-life controller in your hand is something that you need,” said Almeida. “I also think that they’re opening a path for haptic gloves.”

Almeida envisions a whole collection of different controllers for different kinds of games and interactions similar to that for headsets like VIVE. Earlier in the conversation, he had also mentioned the Apple Vision Pro’s battery life as one area that could be expanded through partnerships.

“If Apple is smart, they’re going to open the market to third-party companies for the existing hardware to expand over the existing options,” said Almeida. “In order to achieve more market and to grow as a company, Apple needs to invest in breakthrough technology and for that, they need to let third-party partners come to complement the ecosystem.”

Calling on Developers

Moulder had a different perspective on the Apple Vision Pro and seemed eager for the opportunity to develop controller-free applications.

“I am super stoked about Apple and from my perspective, there’s a whole lot to unpack,” said Moulder. “On the input side, the thing that I keep bringing up to people is that video showed the woman with her hand in her lap. (…) I’m looking at that thinking ‘If I could move my hands around in that kind of field-of-view, hand-tracking works a lot better.’”

Here we’re not talking about field-of-view in terms of what the wearer sees in the headset, we’re talking about what the headset sees around the wearer. Headsets have the ability to track the location of controllers no matter where they are but can only track the hands when the hands are in view of the cameras, which puts huge limitations on how effective hand-tracking can be.

“I don’t have to predict the location of where the hands are going to be in a bunch of nonsensical math just to make up for that limitation of the technology now,” said Moulder. “That’s really nice for us from the gaming perspective because that means we can lean into hand-tracking even more than we’re doing right now.”

Moulder said that this would mean “working with the user to train them” on more nuanced hand interactions, but it also sounds very optimistic for a controller-free headset that doesn’t feel like the 3DoF models of yesteryear. The wide range of the Apple Vision Pro does require a huge number of cameras, so it’s likely that other makers won’t emulate the move any time soon.

Parting Thoughts on the Apple Vision Pro

The Apple Vision Pro still remains something of a mystery to me. But, I have another perspective on where Apple might be going with a potential future product line built around it, and that’s exciting. I also have a whole new perspective on controller-free headsets in general, and that’s very exciting.

You can listen to the whole “XR Talks with ARPost: Episode 10 – Another Take on Apple’s Entrance” below, or on Spotify.

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Unveiling the Future of Driving: Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven Concept Car Uses Magic Leap 2

AR glasses, augmented reality, Automotive & Transportation, automotive industry, featured, magic leap / Mike M. / July 19, 2023

The German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz recently introduced its Vision One-Eleven concept car the Vision One-Eleven. On top of incorporating sustainability with its electric motor engine alongside a dynamic redesign, Vision-One Eleven uses Magic Leap 2 AR glasses for a more immersive car experience.

This approach reflects Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to creating better cars that provide the best possible driving experience to consumers while accommodating concerns about sustainable driving and introducing new tech. By partnering with Mercedes-Benz, Magic Leap also takes another step towards making AR experiences a part of everyday life.

Vision One-Eleven: A New Twist on an Old Classic

The Vision One-Eleven is a revisited concept car built on another beloved Mercedes-Benz classic, the C 111. The C 111 concept car incorporated iconic gullwing doors for a truly one-of-a-kind design in its day. Combined with its modern interiors, it proved to be an appealing concept car that influenced modern luxury vehicles.

Vision One-Eleven concept car

With the Vision One-Eleven, Mercedes-Benz further improves on the characteristics that set the C 111 apart, blending luxury interiors with intelligent design for a truly futuristic car. A sports vehicle with a lounge interior and a sleek body, the Vision One-Eleven is an exciting peek as to what the cars of the future may look like—from looks all the way to its electric motor.

The Capabilities of AR Glasses on the Road

Aside from visual and engineering overhauls, Vision One-Eleven also incorporates another rapidly growing technology: augmented reality. Since the adoption of full AR experiences has been slow in the larger market, XR companies like Magic Leap pivoted to a slower but steadier approach by bringing tech like the Magic Leap 2 into specific industries.

Drivers often have to manage a large amount of information to navigate and keep safe on the road. With the integration of technology such as built-in navigation or car sensors, drivers can rely on various tools that can help improve their driving efficiency.

This isn’t just progress for the sake of progress either: the introduction of AR technologies to drivers has plenty of benefits, from reducing the cognitive load to helping them navigate hazardous driving conditions.

While these applications have yet to be fully adopted by the market, the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Magic Leap shows that this is an avenue both AR companies and car manufacturers can benefit from.

An Augmented and Seamless Driving Experience

Specific details about how Magic Leap 2 will integrate with Vision One-Eleven’s driving systems have yet to be released. Still, the goal is to create a configurable, immersive AR interface between the driver and their vehicle. This interface can display information about driving conditions on-demand, from the selected drive mode to information about the driver’s destination and current location.

Vision One-Eleven concept car and Magic Leap AR glasses

With Magic Leap 2, this system transforms the conventional dashboards of cars into a dynamic cockpit where drivers can fully use their field of vision to navigate the roads better. This drastically helps improve both the driving experience and car safety for car owners, passengers, and passersby—while also implementing an intelligent driving model that may potentially reinvent the way people drive.

A Partnership Built On Innovation

The Vision One-Eleven isn’t the first collaboration between Magic Leap and Mercedes-Benz: the two companies worked together in 2019 for the Mercedes Immersive Roadshow. While Magic Leap’s role in that collaboration was to enrich the viewing experience by augmenting the visual aesthetic of the exhibit, their new partnership with Vision One-Eleven shows Mercedes-Benz’s confidence in the potential of AR experiences.

Given the increasing entry rate of other competitors into the AR market, Mercedes-Benz and Magic Leap have secured themselves a lead over the competition when introducing AR into the driving experience. Whether they can hold on to this head start is something else altogether—but for now, the Vision One-Eleven holds the spotlight as a blend of technology and good car design.

What’s Next?

The Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven, like most concept cars, is unlikely to be produced in its current form. However, its design, technology, and engineering innovations will undoubtedly be integrated into future Mercedes-Benz production vehicles. And it’s pretty certain that XR technology will find its place in those vehicles.

According to Mercedes-Benz, “The spatial user interface is a beacon for a Mercedes-Benz user experience that is unencumbered by technology. It is part of a wider vision that looks towards extended reality, whereby technology and hardware cease to be the focal point; instead becoming fully integrated and seamless facilitators of user needs and wishes.”

As for Magic Leap 2, the company shows no signs of slowing down with potential partnerships with established brands. Some of its latest potential forays include a partnership with Audi, as well as early talks with tech giant Meta, perhaps looking to expand towards more consumers in the AR space.

As for the future of AR driving? It’s difficult to tell, but one thing’s certain: everyone will be in for an interesting ride.

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Is Apple Vision Pro Ready for Mainstream Use?

Apple Inc., apple vision pro, AR glasses, featured, interview, Mixed Reality, MR glasses, opinion, trending / Mike M. / June 28, 2023

The long wait for a mixed reality headset from Apple will soon be over with the recent launch of Apple Vision Pro. Earlier this month, Apple unveiled its highly anticipated XR headset at the WWDC 2023 event. The Apple Vision Pro is set to hit US Apple stores in early 2024.

Being the first major hardware launch of Apple after almost a decade, the Vision Pro is expected to be received with great enthusiasm. While it’s an undoubtedly powerful device packed with state-of-the-art features, the question remains: Is the Apple Vision Pro truly ready for mainstream use?

To delve deeper into how this development impacts the future of XR, we asked some experts to share their insights on Apple Vision Pro.

Apple Vision Pro: Pushing the Boundaries of Mixed Reality Technology

Compared with other available AR and MR headsets, Apple Vision Pro has raised the bar in several aspects. For Dominik Angerer, CEO of headless CMS Storyblok, this launch could potentially be another “‘iPhone moment’ for Apple, pushing the boundaries of how we perceive and interact with digital content.”

Nathan Robinson, CEO of Gemba, finds the technology sleek, responsive, comfortable, and highly performant. According to him, Apple’s user-centric design philosophy is evident in the Vision Pro’s external battery pack, wide articulated headband, and visual passthrough capabilities—all ensuring comfort and convenience even for extended use.

Michael Hoffman, Mesmerise Head of Platform and CEO of IQXR, also highlights the unparalleled ergonomics of the Vision Pro. For him, the Fit Dial that enables adjustment for a precise fit, the Light Seal that creates a tight yet comfortable fit, and multiple size options will all be crucial to the success of the product.

Performance-wise, experts agree that Vision Pro is powerful. Emma Ridderstad, CEO of Warpin Reality, believes that the use of two chips, R1 and M2, will improve real-time processing, reducing the amount of lag time experienced while using the headset.

However, some experts aren’t that impressed. Eric Alexander, founder and CEO of Soundscape VR, thinks that the Vision Pro is strong for a mobile headset but still pales in comparison to PC VR. “The sprawling, highly-detailed, 3D rendered worlds we build here at Soundscape won’t be possible on the Vision Pro yet as their M2 chip has less than 10% of the rendering horsepower of an Nvidia GPU,” he told us.

For Joseph Toma, CEO of the virtual meetings and events platform Jugo, the Vision Pro’s hardware can be overkill, no matter how powerful it is. He notes that advances in spatial AI, augmented reality, and mixed reality AI make bulky hardware unnecessary. “Apple’s Vision Pro may not be the product that ushers in this new era. While the tech is great, the future is about building something that includes everyone and can deliver mixed reality experiences without the constraints of bulky hardware,” Toma said.

Is the Apple Vision Pro Truly Ready for Mainstream Use?

While the Apple Vision Pro represents a significant leap forward in mixed reality technology, experts have varying opinions on its readiness for mainstream adoption.

apple vision pro

Some argue that its current price point and the need for continuous advancements in software and content might limit its appeal. Others point out that existing platforms already offer immersive experiences without the need for bulky hardware, and Apple might face challenges in convincing the masses to invest in the Vision Pro.

Retailing at $3,499, the cost of the Apple Vision Pro is several times over the $499 price tag of the Meta Quest 3. For Robinson, this prohibitive price will be a large contributing factor to a slow adoption curve. However, he believes as the price falls and the number of applications grows over time, this technology will gain a much wider audience.

While Hoffman also sees the need for more cost-effective options, he believes that Vision Pro is ready for mainstream adoption. “Vision Pro is absolutely ready for mainstream adoption, especially because it’s made by Apple,” he said. “Once Apple launches a product, users typically flock to it.”

Still, some experts believe that Vision Pro isn’t ready for mainstream adoption yet. While initially impressed with the headset, Ridderstad noticed features that were centered around “looking and clicking” rather than 3D VR interactions. “I do think that Vision Pro won’t be ready for mainstream adoption until there’s been a few iterations of the headset,” she told us. “We’ll need to see some evolution from Apple in order to make mixed reality truly mainstream.”

For Alexander, the mainstream adoption of Vision Pro is still a few years out. Although he doesn’t see the price point being a hindrance to adoption, he believes that developers need time to build compelling apps that give people something to do on these devices outside of the novelty factor.

Toma, sharing a similar sentiment, said that, even though “the merging of the tangible and virtual worlds is an impending reality,” we’re still far from seeing these tools adopted on a massive scale by consumers and businesses. “The Vision Pro’s success depends on whether consumers will embrace a bulky, expensive piece of hardware they don’t need for the immersive experience Apple is promoting,” he said.

However, as Angerer points out, “Every technological leap comes with its share of skepticism.” While he understands why there are those who argue that Apple’s headset is not ready for mainstream adoption because of its size, he believes it’s important to remember that Apple has consistently placed high importance on balancing aesthetics with practicality. “Existing platforms may offer similar experiences, but Apple’s unique selling proposition often lies in its seamless user experience and integration across devices, which could give Vision Pro an edge,” he said.

Reshaping Industries: Applications of Apple Vision Pro and Other MR Headsets

Regardless of their readiness for mainstream use, mixed reality headsets like the Apple Vision Pro have the potential to transform various industries. Experts foresee numerous applications in fields such as healthcare, education, architecture, and entertainment.

In healthcare, for instance, mixed reality can aid in surgical simulations and remote medical consultations. In education, immersive learning experiences can enhance student engagement and comprehension. Architects can utilize mixed reality to visualize designs in real-world environments, while the entertainment industry can create entirely new levels of interactive experiences for consumers.

According to Hoffman, Vision Pro will be a game changer that unlocks high-value enterprise use cases. “Collaboration is essential for most scenarios that merge the physical and virtual. To be viable, eye contact is key for co-located participants, and faithfully conveying gaze and facial expressions is key for remote participants,” he explained. “Apple masterfully tackles both, making it possible to collaborate with any combination of co-located and remote participants where everyone wears a device. This combining of the physical and virtual worlds is critical for so many scenarios: task guidance, IoT digital twins, skills training, AI-enhanced inspections, augmented surgery, logistics, and space planning.”

A Promising Outlook for Apple Vision Pro and Mixed Reality Technology

As industry experts have highlighted, factors such as pricing, content availability, and competing platforms could influence its widespread acceptance. Nonetheless, Vision Pro and other mixed reality headsets are set to reshape industries and open new possibilities. The future of mixed reality holds immense promise with continued advancements and a growing ecosystem, and the Apple Vision Pro stands at the forefront of this transformative journey.

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Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro: A Tale of Two Headsets

Apple Inc., apple vision pro, AR glasses, featured, quest 3, trending, VR headsets, XR Headsets / Rejus Almole / June 8, 2023

Both Apple and Meta revealed highly anticipated headsets in the last seven days. The hype is just about the only thing they have in common. The two headsets have different audiences, different affordances and requirements, and drastically different price points. As such, they illuminate two drastically different approaches to the XR space.

The Meta Quest 3

The Meta Quest 3 has been the subject of rumors, speculation, leaks, and outright fabrication probably since before the Quest 2 came out. But, it was officially announced last week and is set to launch this fall.

The headset has been relatively easy to speculate on, seeing as it is the fourth iteration of flagship headsets in a familiar and built-out hardware and software ecosystem. As was largely expected, the Quest 3 appears to largely be a blend of the successful elements of the Quest 2 and some of the more advanced features that we saw from the Quest Pro.

From fairly early on, the Quest Pro was largely seen as a dev kit and a testing ground for future products. Pro hallmarks coming to the Quest 3 include color passthrough and the Pro controllers. The price of the Quest 3 is significantly less expensive than the Quest Pro, if slightly more expensive than the Quest 2, coming in at $499.

Following the announcement, most of what we have to go on as far as what kind of punch the Quest 3 packs still does largely come from speculation. Where previous Quest headsets were announced at last year’s Connect – Meta’s biggest annual event – the Quest 3 was announced through a relatively low-key social media campaign on the morning of the Meta Gaming Showcase.

Meta Quest 3 headset

As anticipated as the Quest 3 has been, it might not be the most hyped headset of all time – or even the most hyped headset to come out this week. Meta’s seemingly hasty announcement of the Quest 3 seems to have been timed to come out before Apple’s announcement of the Vision Pro.

The Apple Vision Pro

Apple’s entry into XR has long been awaited – if only because the company has repeatedly put off announcing a product. So, after all of the wait, what can the headset actually do?

The headset’s 12 cameras, five sensors, and six mics enable controller-free tracking, voice interactions, and impressive audio. Connected to a device it can run all day, but a battery pack will let it run on its own for two hours. Apple reported over 10 million pixels per eye, but did not release familiar resolution metrics or field-of-view.

The headset is capable of handling 3D assets sent via messages, and it constructs a 3D avatar that can be used in video calls. Developers with early access include JigSpace, and the headset’s software is compatible with Unity.

All of that said, currently available material doesn’t show a lot of actual XR content. The headset arguably looks more like what industry insiders call an “AR viewer” – that is, rather than providing spatial content, it provides a spatial interface for 2D content. That also made up the bulk of Apple’s demonstrations of the headset – and their justification for its massive price tag.

“If you purchased a new state-of-the-art TV, surround-sound system, powerful computer with multiple high-definition displays, a high-end camera, and more, you still would not have come close to what Vision Pro delivers,” Apple’s Technology Development Group VP Mike Rockwell said in the WWDC event that introduced the device. “Apple Vision Pro starts at $3,499.”

Apple Vision Pro headset

That raises an interesting question for the XR community. An Apple Vision Pro might be able to replace all of those things. But, could it replace a Meta Quest?

New Headsets and the XR Ecosystem

Both the Quest 3 and the Apple Vision Pro had XR experts excited. Many aren’t necessarily viewing the two headsets as in competition, but are rather thinking about how the headsets’ introduction will affect the general XR ecosystem.

“The Quest 3 has finally been announced, which is great for everyone in the industry,” 3lbXR and 3lb Games CEO Robin Moulder said in a talk at this year’s Augmented World Expo. “Next week is going to be a whole new level when Apple announces something – hopefully.”

On the morning of the third day of AWE, the Quest 3 had been announced just an hour or so earlier and the Apple announcement had yet to be aired. However, a number of speakers presented the same idea – this is an exciting time for XR and Apple is contributing to that momentum rather than creating that momentum on its own.

A Bushel of Apples in XR…

One of the XR community’s biggest hopes regarding Apple’s entrance into the market is that XR will be catapulted to the mainstream by Apple’s gravitas. One of the main concerns is that Apple tends to play by their own rules, so a wave of new Apple XR users might be disruptive (or at least, not additive) to XR’s established ecosystem. Not all share this concern.

“If Apple does announce something, they’ll do a lot of education,” Khronos Group President Neil Trevett said during a panel at AWE. “It will progress how people use the tech whether they use open standards or not.”

Now that we’ve seen from Apple, it’s worth wondering how much education would be involved. The Vision Pro seems largely intent on offering a spatial view of Apple’s apps rather than on incorporating existing XR solutions and uses.

“Apple is not seeking to build a wide XR ecosystem with a cheaper device, like Meta with the Quest line-up,” XR analyst Tom Ffiske wrote on the headset. “The company instead seeks to monetize an already-lucrative subsection of its audience with high-margin subscriptions and software, accessible at a $3,499 price tag.”

Make no mistake: at least for now, Apple Reality Pro is another Apple device within the Apple hardware ecosystem. It is not a new XR device within anything like a metaverse ecosystem.

Apple Vision Pro

“Apple Reality Pro’s biggest advantage is integration into the Apple ecosystem,” VRDirect founder and CEO Rolf Illenberger said in an email shared with ARPost. “The all-important ability to go from the iPhone, to iPad, to Apple Watch with a similar user experience and low barrier to entry… That’s where we believe the potential exists to create believers in AR.”

Mesmerise Head of Platform, Michael Hoffman, is of the same opinion, “Compatibility with other iOS devices will also help the headset integrate more seamlessly into daily life.”

…Or a Rush on Pears?

The next question is whether Apple can bring people into XR without the Vision Pro. Meta (ignoring its various evils) did a lot to introduce people into the XR universe through incredibly low price points. This is not a game that Apple is playing at all – there probably won’t be too many Vision Pro headsets sitting under Christmas trees this year.

That doesn’t mean that Vision Pro doesn’t have a future. After all, this is the first iteration and it hasn’t even hit the market yet.

“The wire may prevent some users from purchasing the product, and the price tag will scare away many people,” Mytaverse CTO and co-founder Jamie Lopez said in an email shared with ARPost. “But Apple has a long history of lowering prices and making new hardware easier to use. Time will tell how Vision Pro changes the world.”

Still, the announcement may have brought people’s attention to XR in the shorter term. If the sticker shock scares them away from the Vision Pro but doesn’t scare them away from XR, they may find that a lot of what the Vision Pro announcement demoed is already possible on far more affordable headsets.

#WWDC23 pic.twitter.com/FVB2iu5zy0

— XREAL 👓 (@XREAL_Global) June 6, 2023

XREAL (formerly Nreal) made this connection on Twitter and, (potentially unpopular opinion) I didn’t see Apple showing the Vision Pro doing a whole lot of things that the XREAL Air can’t do – and the XREAL Air is literally a tenth of the price.

To be clear, Apple claims sarcastically high resolution for the Vision Pro. This allows users to do things like read emails and webpage text in-headset. This is still a bit of a tall order for products like XREAL.

Advancing Next-Generation Inputs

“By the time we have the Apple headset and the new Quest 3, everybody is going to be freaking out about how great hand tracking is and moving into this new world of possibilities,” said Moulder.

Hand-tracking does play a huge part in the Vision Pro announcement, as the Vision Pro doesn’t have controllers. While it can connect to other devices like Bluetooth keyboards, the headset uses a combination of gaze tracking, hand tracking, and voice commands – which was a first sign that the headset might not be particularly robust for applications like gaming.

Meta, on the other hand, has been experimenting with inputs like voice and gesture controls since the Quest 2, but is by no means ditching the controllers. As cool as gesture recognition is, more robust applications like games and enterprise applications require more nuanced controls – and for now, that still means buttons.

For what it’s worth, Moulder advocated for an input system that uses one controller for things like conjuring menus and one free hand for fine interactions. I would like to see a system like that work with applications like Nanome that provides intuitive interactions that would be great with hand tracking, but provides enough interactions that controllers are still the only way to go.

“Current hand tracking technology does not meet the needs that 6DoF controllers can provide, which consumer AR glasses don’t,” Nanome co-founder and CEO Steve McCloskey told ARPost in a recent in-platform interview.

Time Will Tell

Will flocks of people buy the Apple Vision Pro? Will those that don’t, pick up headsets like the Quest 3 or even consumer AR glasses? Do Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro exist in the same market, or was Zuckerberg wrong to time his announcement in a way that forced the two headsets into an artificial narrative? All I know is, it’s going to be an interesting couple of years.

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DigiLens Expands Ecosystem With Hardware, Software Announcements

AR glasses, augmented reality, AWE, digilens, featured, News, optics, qualcomm / Rejus Almole / June 1, 2023

DigiLens may not be on every XR user’s mind, but we all owe them a lot. The optical components manufacturer only recently released its first branded wearable, but the organization makes parts for a number of XR companies and products. That’s why it’s so exciting that the company announced a wave of new processes and partnerships over the last few weeks.

SRG+

“Surface Relief Gratings” is one complicated process within the production of the complicated system that is a waveguide – the optical component that put DigiLens on the map. The short of it is that waveguides are the translucent screen on which a feed is cast by an accompanying “light engine” in this particular approach to AR displays.

DigiLens doesn’t make light engines, but the methods that they use to produce lenses can reduce “eye glow” – which is essentially wasted light. The company’s new “SRG+” waveguide process achieves these ends at a lower cost, while also increasing the aspect ratio for an improved field of view on a lighter lens that can be produced more efficiently at a larger scale.

DigiLens announces SRG+

Lens benefits aside, this process improvement also allows for a more efficient light engine. A more efficient light engine translates to less energy consumption and a smaller form factor for the complete device. All of those are good selling points for a head-worn display. Many of those benefits are also true for Micro OLED lenses, a different approach to AR displays.

“I am excited about Digilens’ recent SRG+ developments, which provide a new, low-cost replication technology satisfying such drastic nanostructure requirements,” Dr. Bernard Kress, President of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, said in a release. “The AR waveguides field is the tip of the iceberg.”

A New Partner in Mojo Vision

The first major partner to take advantage of this new process is Mojo Vision, a Micro-LED manufacturer that became famous in the industry for pursuing AR contact lenses. While that product has yet to materialize, its pursuit has resulted in Mojo Vision holding records for large displays on small tech. And, it can get even larger and lighter thanks to SRG+.

“Bringing our technologies together will raise the bar on display performance, and efficiency in the AR/XR industry,” Mojo Vision CEO Nikhil Balram said in a release shared with ARPost. “Partnering with DigiLens brings AR glasses closer to mass-scale consumer electronics.”

This partnership may also help to solve another one of AR’s persistent challenges: the sunny problem. AR glasses to date are almost always tinted. That’s because, to see AR elements in high ambient light conditions, the display either needs to be exceptionally bright or artificially darkened. Instead of cranking up the brightness, manufacturers opt for tinted lenses.

“The total form factor of the AR glasses can finally be small and light enough for consumers to wear for long periods of time and bright enough to allow them to see the superimposed digital information — even on a sunny day — without needing to darken the lenses,” DigiLens CEO Chris Pickett said in the release.

ARGO Is DigiLens’ Golden Fleece

After years of working backstage for device manufacturers, DigiLens announced ARGO at the beginning of this year, calling it “the first purpose-built stand-alone AR/XR device designed for enterprise and industrial-lite workers.” The glasses use the company’s in-house waveguides and a custom-built Android-based operating system running on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 chip.

DigiLens ARGO glasses

“This is a big milestone for DigiLens at a very high level. We have always been a component manufacturer,” DigiLens VP and GM of Product, Nima Shams told ARPost at the time. “At the same time, we want to push the market and meet the market and it seems like the market is kind of open and waiting.”

More Opportunities With Qualcomm

Close followers of Qualcomm’s XR operations may recall that the company often saves major news around its XR developer platform Snapdragon Spaces for AWE. The platform launched at AWE in 2021 and became available to the public at AWE last year. This year, among other announcements, Qualcomm announced Spaces compatibility with ARGO.

“We are excited to support the democratization of the XR industry by offering Snapdragon Spaces through DigiLens’ leading all-in-one AR headset,” Qualcomm Senior Director of Product Management XR, Said Bakadir, said in a release shared with ARPost.

“DigiLens’ high-transparency and sunlight-readable optics combined with the universe of leading XR application developers from Snapdragon Spaces are critical in supporting the needs of the expanding enterprise and industrial markets,” said Bakadir.

Snapdragon Spaces bundles developer tools including hand and position tracking, scene understanding and persistent anchors, spatial mapping, and plane detection. So, while we’re likely to see more partnerships with more existing applications, this strengthened relationship with Qualcomm could mean more native apps on ARGO.

Getting Rugged With Taqtile

“Industrial-lite” might be getting a bit heavier as DigiLens partners with Taqtile on a “rugged AR-enabled solution for industrial and defense customers” – presumably a more durable version of the original ARGO running Manifest, Taqtile’s flagship enterprise AR solution. Taqtile recently released a free version of Manifest to make its capabilities more available to potential clients.

“ARGO represents just the type of head-mounted, hands-free device that Manifest customers have been looking for,” Taqtile CTO John Tomizuka said in a release. “We continue to evaluate hardware solutions that will meet the unique needs of our deskless workers, and the combination of Manifest and ARGO has the ability to deliver performance and functionality.”

Getting Smart With Wisear

Wisear is a neural interface company that uses “smart earphones” to allow users to control connected devices with their thoughts rather than with touch, gesture, or even voice controls.

For the average consumer, that might just be really cool. For consumers with neurological disorders, that might be a new way to connect to the world. For enterprise, it solves another problem.

wisear smart earphones

Headworn devices mean frontline workers aren’t holding the device, but if they need their hands to interact with it, that still means taking their hands off of the job. Voice controls get around this but some environments and circumstances make voice controls inconvenient or difficult to use. Neural inputs solve those problems too. And Wisear is bringing those solutions to ARGO.

“DigiLens and Wisear share a common vision of using cutting-edge technology to revolutionize the way frontline workers work,” Pickett said in a release shared with ARPost. “Our ARGO smart glasses, coupled with Wisear’s neural interface-powered earphones, will provide frontline workers with the tools they need to work seamlessly and safely.”

More Tracking Options With Ultraleap

Ultraleap is another components manufacturer. They make input accessories like tracking cameras, controllers, and haptics. A brief shared with ARPost only mentions “a groundbreaking partnership” between the companies “offering a truly immersive and user-friendly experience across diverse applications, from gaming and education to industrial training and healthcare.”

That sounds a lot like it hints at more wide availability for ARGO, but don’t get your hopes up yet. This is the announcement about which we know the least. Most of this article has come together from releases shared with ARPost in advance of AWE, which is happening now. So, watch our AWE coverage articles as they come out for more concrete information.

So Much More to Come

Announcements from component manufacturers can be tantalizing. We know that they have huge ramifications for the whole industry, but we know that those ramifications aren’t immediate. We’re closely watching DigiLens and its partners to see when some of these announcements might bear tangible fruit but keep in mind that this company also has its own full model out now.

DigiLens Expands Ecosystem With Hardware, Software Announcements Read More »

VITURE One XR Glasses Hit the Market in Style

AR glasses, featured, XR Headsets / Rejus Almole / May 24, 2023

Have you been waiting for sleek wearable XR glasses that would look great with any outfit? Your long wait is over. VITURE, the innovative tech startup, has officially launched its highly anticipated product, the VITURE One XR Glasses.

Step into a new realm of immersive entertainment. Get ready to redefine your gaming and streaming experiences with this wearable technology. These cutting-edge XR glasses introduce a new era of immersive mobile extended reality experiences. With the ability to stream and play games anywhere–and in style, VITURE One XR Glasses redefine on-the-go entertainment.

Unleashing Limitless Experiences With VITURE One XR Glasses

Imagine a breathtaking 120-inch virtual screen projecting directly into a stylish pair of sunglasses, transporting you into an unparalleled gaming and streaming adventure. The VITURE One XR Glasses empower you to embark on captivating journeys with a level of immersion that feels truly lifelike.

The VITURE One XR Glasses immerse users into a captivating gaming or streaming experience. Weighing just 78g, these portable glasses offer a supersized virtual screen without the bulkiness of traditional VR headsets. They provide a private viewing experience, making it ideal for gaming enthusiasts or travelers who want to enjoy streams or games without disturbing others.

Paired with the VITURE One Mobile Dock, these glasses are about to revolutionize the way you engage with virtual worlds. They enable seamless connectivity with devices like the Nintendo Switch and mobile phones. With multiplayer gaming and expanded entertainment options, VITURE empowers you to share unforgettable moments with friends anytime, anywhere.

VITURE One XR glasses and Mobile Dock on a table

The retail price of VITURE One XR Glasses and Mobile Dock is $549 and $159, respectively. But you can nab them for $439 and $129 during the special promotional launch. The Dock Pack is also available at the promo launch price of $568, which is over $100 less than the expected retail price of $708.

Immersive Technology Redefined

The VITURE One XR Glasses incorporate revolutionary technology to provide an unrivaled XR experience. The magic begins with dimmable electrochromic film lenses, allowing you to customize the visual intensity according to your preferences and surroundings. These glasses also feature built-in myopia adjustments, catering to the needs of near-sighted users without compromising on the immersive experience.

Prepare to be mesmerized by the revolutionary reverse sound field audio system developed in collaboration with HARMAN. This advanced audio technology takes you on an auditory journey, surrounding you with spatial sound that breathes life into every virtual world. Combined with strong color calibration, a wide color gamut, and native 3D and 3DoF support, the VITURE One XR Glasses create an all-encompassing sensory experience like never before.

Fashion Meets Immersion

VITURE strives to create a synergy of aesthetics, comfort, and function. That’s why the VITURE One XR Glasses were designed in collaboration with LAYER, a prestigious design studio renowned worldwide. This dynamic partnership has resulted in sleek and stylish eyewear that seamlessly blends fashion with technology.

VITURE One XR glasses beige

Not only do the glasses offer an immersive experience, but they also make a bold fashion statement. These dark-tinted glasses can give your aviators a run for their money when it comes to style. They also prioritize comfort, allowing you to lose yourself in extended gaming or streaming sessions without any unease. Indeed, the VITURE One XR Glasses defy the notion that fashion and immersive experiences are mutually exclusive, proving that you can have it all.

“With portable gaming and entertainment becoming more and more prevalent, we are thrilled to bring the first stylish XR solution to the market that can handle AAA gaming and streaming on the go,” said David Jiang, co-founder and CEO of VITURE, in a press release shared with ARPost. “We’ve already received great feedback from pre-order customers and can’t wait to get VITURE One in more people’s hands to transform the way they experience entertainment.”

Pushing the Boundaries in Wearable XR

As the XR industry continues to evolve, VITURE aims to push the boundaries of what’s possible. As portable gaming and entertainment take center stage, VITURE proudly introduces a stylish XR solution that unlocks the power of AAA gaming and streaming on the go.

VITURE Next Gen AR Glasses streaming

Embark on a journey where virtual worlds come to life, enveloping your senses and unlocking a new dimension of entertainment. The VITURE One XR Glasses are here to redefine the future of gaming and streaming, setting the stage for limitless possibilities in XR wearables. Experience the revolution today and embrace a future where immersion knows no bounds.

VITURE One XR Glasses Hit the Market in Style Read More »

Nreal to Support Windows Computers With Nebula App

AR glasses, featured, News, nreal / Rejus Almole / March 29, 2023

Nreal Air is largely a virtual screen viewer. While it does have native apps designed for AR, it becomes a lot more versatile when displaying content from a tethered device like a mobile phone or game console. Nebula, the app that allows these features, will also now be available for Windows computers.

Changes Coming to Nreal’s Nebula Ecosystem

The job of Nebula is to “project 2D content into an interactive 3D space.” To get much use out of the company’s AR glasses like Nreal Air, you need to have Nebula installed on the device. The glasses launched with support for the Android operating system and subsequent updates brought compatibility to Mac and a number of game consoles.

A recent release from the company confirms that Nebula is coming to Windows. The Windows version of Nebula also comes with enhanced tracking, an optimized aspect ratio, and a curved virtual screen. The 3DoF tracking was specifically touted for helping gamers playing simulation-type games.

A Boon for Gaming (and Maybe Productivity)

As of this writing, the Windows version of the Nebula app is not yet available and no rollout date was included in the release shared with ARPost. Still, the announcement brings some excitement both in productivity and gaming applications.

PC Gaming on a Virtual Screen

The main drive of the update, according to the release, was to catch PC gamers. A recent user survey found that console gaming is the second highest use case just behind streaming media.

use cases of Nreal Air

“We are thrilled to see the growing popularity of Nreal Air among the gaming community, and we are committed to providing gamers with the best possible experience,” co-founder Peng Jin said. “As the gaming industry continues to evolve, we believe that Nebula for Windows is a game-changer for the desktop gaming market.”

I don’t always game, but when I do I use a Windows PC. Many a time I’ve resorted to connecting my laptop to a TV via an HDMI cable to get a bigger screen. Having used Nreal Air for watching videos online, I can definitely see the draw that the giant virtual screen can have for gaming.

Multiple Virtual Screens for Productivity

The third leading use case is productivity. Even though this was downplayed in the release, it’s something that I’m excited to try out.

In my review of the Nreal Air I said that reading fine text in the glasses was still a bit of a chore. However, with the changes to screen aspect and other updates to the Windows version of Nebula, I’d be willing to revisit the glasses for productivity. Being able to glance back and forth between multiple screens instead of opening and closing tabs on my laptop would be great.

Any Day Now

The only thing not to like about the announcement is the lack of a release date. I’m still a little skeptical of how conducive Nreal Air can be to productivity tasks like writing but one way or another this opens up a significant market for these already popular AR glasses.

Nreal to Support Windows Computers With Nebula App Read More »

Rokid Launches New AR Glasses Rokid Max

AR glasses, featured, News, rokid / Mike M. / March 22, 2023

AR smart glasses company Rokid has just launched its next consumer product, “Rokid Max.” Shipping isn’t scheduled to start until the end of April, but here’s everything that we know about the glasses so far from a shared press release and user manual.

The Specs

Like most consumer AR glasses on the market today, Rokid Max is presented exclusively as a virtual screen for mirroring a smartphone. That can mean online content, downloaded movies, games, or any productivity apps. Users can also switch to a “3D mode” for viewing 3D content in an app or WebXR experience.

As viewers, they have some solid specs. The lenses themselves offer a 1080p micro-OLED display for content running at a 120Hz refresh rate. They clock in at a 50-degree field of view (which lands solidly between the two main competitors – Nreal’s Air and Light models). The resulting virtual screen is comparable to a “215-inch boundaryless display from [19 feet] away.”

The glasses also offer manual diopter adjustment via a dial over each lens. According to the release, this can be used by non-glasses-wearing users to sharpen the image, or by those users who normally need prescription lenses. Users will also be able to adjust audio settings which include noise cancellation for maintaining privacy and sound quality, though this option will be available within a couple of months post-delivery.

The total hardware itself is no wider than a pair of glasses and just under three-quarters of an inch thick, though it’s unclear whether that includes an optional nose pad and a “blackout cover” for over the lenses. They weigh in at less than a fifth of a pound. The glasses do fold, and come with a carrying case.

Rokid Max AR glasses

As the glasses do not have their own onboard battery, they do require a hard connection to the streaming device, similar to other consumer AR glasses. Rokid Max will be available for preorder from the manufacturer starting today, for $439. During the presales period, which runs until April 30, there’s a $20 discount with the code “ROKIDPRESS20OFF”.

How Does Rokid Max Square Up?

Rokid Max is an interesting product. The glasses have their biggest competitor in Nreal Air, so we can hold them up to each other to understand Rokid’s position in the market.

Nreal Light has a few things going for it. First, it’s slightly cheaper. Second, it can connect to gaming consoles and laptops as well as mobile phones. Nreal Air also has a limited but promising 3DoF AR input system. Something like that might be true of Rokid as well, but none of the materials shared with ARPost mention it.

Rokid Max hits back in a couple of key areas. It has a slightly larger field of view, which is a pretty big deal when comparing what are essentially media viewers. Further, Rokid has a lot of cool modular components.

Manual diopter controls are a big deal, particularly for people that need glasses. Nreal offers corrective lenses for their glasses, but it’s a paid accessory so if you need glasses, Nreal’s lead in the price category disappears immediately. The removable nose pad is also a cool option.

Finally, the blackout cover is a really cool play, particularly for productivity. AR glasses tend to be “sunnies” because blocking light from the outside improves immersion and viewing comfort and quality. In entertainment applications, there aren’t really any drawbacks to that, but in productivity settings, it can make it harder for you to see your environment as well as the display.

AR glasses Rokid Max

There’s one potential concern I have about this. Darkening the environment also means that the display doesn’t have to run as bright, which saves battery and reduces heat. If the light blocker is optional, that may mean that the display is working harder than it has to, which could have negative effects on the battery life and some other elements.

We’ve Got Our Eyes On You

We wish Rokid Max the best. We have to. We’re still so early on in the field of consumer AR glasses that every new entry is a winner. But, more than that, while there are some things that we could ask of Rokid, the glasses introduce a lot of killer innovations that certainly set it apart.

Rokid Launches New AR Glasses Rokid Max Read More »

Rokid Max Gets Release Window

AR glasses, featured, News, rokid / Rejus Almole / March 10, 2023

AR smart glasses company Rokid just announced the release date for their next consumer product, “Rokid Max.” Shipping isn’t scheduled to start until the end of April, but here’s everything that we know about the glasses so far from a shared press release and user manual.

The Specs

As viewers, they have some solid specs. The lenses themselves offer a 1080p micro-OLED display for content running at a 120Hz refresh rate. They clock in at a 50-degree field of view (which lands solidly between the two main competitors – Nreal’s Airr and Light models). The resulting virtual screen is comparable to a “215-inch boundaryless display from [19 feet] away.”

The glasses also offer manual diopter adjustment via a dial over each lens. According to the release, this can be used by non-glasses-wearing users to sharpen the image, or by those users who normally need prescription lenses. Users can also adjust audio settings which include noise cancellation for maintaining privacy and sound quality.

Rokid Max AR glasses

How Does Rokid Max Square Up?

Rokid Max is an interesting product. The glasses have their biggest competitor in Nreal Air, so we can hold them up to each other to understand Rokid’s position in the market.

AR glasses Rokid Max

We’ve Got Our Eyes On You

Rokid Max Gets Release Window Read More »

Xiaomi Unveils Wireless AR Glasses Prototype, Powered by Same Chipset as Meta Quest Pro

AR development, AR glasses, AR Headset, AR News, mobile world congress 2023, mwc 2023, News, qualcomm ar glasses, Xiaomi, xiaomi ar glasses / Rejus Almole / February 28, 2023

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi today showed off a prototype AR headset at Mobile World Congress (MWC) that wirelessly connects to the user’s smartphone, making for what the company calls its “first wireless AR glasses to utilize distributed computing.”

Called Xiaomi Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition, the device is built upon the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 chipset as Meta’s recently released Quest Pro VR standalone.

While specs are still thin on the ground, the company did offer some info on headline features. For now, Xiaomi is couching it as a “concept technology achievement,” so it may be a while until we see a full spec sheet.

Packing two microOLED displays, the company is boasting “retina-level” resolution, saying its AR glasses pack in 58 pixels per degree (PPD). For reference, Meta Quest Pro has a PPD of 22, while enterprise headset Varjo XR-3 cites a PPD of 70.

The company hasn’t announced the headset’s field of view (FOV), however it says its free-form light-guiding prisms “minimizes light loss and produces clear and bright images with a to-eye brightness of up to 1200nit.”

Electrochromic lenses are also said to adapt the final image to different lighting conditions, even including a full ‘blackout mode’ that ostensibly allows it to work as a VR headset as well.

As for input, Xiaomi Wireless AR Glass includes onboard hand-tracking in addition to smartphone-based touch controls. Xiaomi says its optical hand-tracking is designed to let users to do things like select and open apps, swipe through pages, and exit apps.

As a prototype, there’s no pricing or availability on the table, however Xiaomi says the lightweight glasses (at 126g) will be available in a titanium-colored design with support for three sizes of nosepieces. An attachable glasses clip will also be available for near-sighted users.

In an exclusive hands-on, XDA Developers surmised it felt near production-ready, however one of the issues noted during a seemingly bump-free demo was battery life; the headset had to be charged in the middle of the 30-minute demo. Xiaomi apparently is incorporating a self-developed silicon-oxygen anode battery that is supposedly smaller than a typical lithium-ion battery. While there’s an onboard Snapdragon XR 2 Gen 1 chipset, XDA Developers also notes it doesn’t offer any storage, making a compatible smartphone requisite to playing AR content.

This isn’t the company’s first stab at XR tech; last summer Xiaomi showed off a pair of consumer smartglasses, called Mijia Glasses Camera, that featured a single heads-up display. Xiaomi’s Wireless AR Glass is however much closer in function to the concept it teased in late 2021, albeit with chunkier free-form light-guiding prisms than the more advanced-looking waveguides teased two years ago.

Xiaomi is actively working closely with chipmaker Qualcomm to ensure compatibility with Snapdragon Spaces-ready smartphones, which include Xiaomi 13 and OnePlus 11 5G. Possible other future contributions from Lenovo and Motorola, which have also announced their intentions to support Snapdragon Spaces.

Qualcomm announced Snapdragon Spaces in late 2021, a software tool kit which focuses on performance and low power devices which allows developers to create head-worn AR experiences from the ground-up, or add head-worn AR to existing smartphone apps.

Xiaomi Unveils Wireless AR Glasses Prototype, Powered by Same Chipset as Meta Quest Pro Read More »

Apple AR Glasses Put on Hold to Make Way for MR Glasses – VR and Metaverse Expert Weighs In

Apple Inc., AR glasses, augmented reality, featured, interview, metaverse, virtual reality, women in XR / Mike M. / February 21, 2023

Has Apple bitten more than it could chew? It appears that the long-awaited AR glasses won’t be hitting the shelves any time soon. A Bloomberg article published recently says that the Apple AR glasses are facing technical challenges, so their release has been delayed indefinitely and the project scope pared back. The report also revealed that Apple may instead opt to release a more affordable mixed reality headset.

Emma Ridderstad, CEO and Co-founder of Warpin Reality, shares her insights on the delayed release of the Apple AR glasses and the development of its mixed reality headset, probably to be called Reality Pro. She also shares her thoughts on what these developments mean for the industry, the consumers, and the future of AR/VR.

Apple AR Glasses Shelved to Make Way for an MR Headset

For a couple of years now, Apple has been developing AR glasses that resemble real eyeglasses. The design has already gone through several iterations but still, apparently, fails to meet expectations. While it is unclear where the real problem lies, it is clear that we won’t be seeing through the Apple AR glasses this year.

According to Bloomberg, what we may see soon are MR headsets that combine virtual and augmented reality elements. It was reported that Apple is shifting its focus towards developing a bulkier but less complicated MR headset with a projected price tag of $3,000. The company then plans to follow this with a more affordable version priced at just around $1,500, closer to Meta Quest Pro, though still with a higher price tag.

A Wise Move by Apple

When asked whether the delay of the Apple AR glasses will affect businesses that have already adopted the technology, Ridderstad believes that it would have little impact. Aside from the limited number of businesses currently using Apple’s AR technology, those that have adopted it are not fully reliant on it.

According to Ridderstad, AR/VR technology is still in its infancy. As immersive as these headsets are, they aren’t very convenient. The use cases are still quite limited, and the high cost of both hardware and software can be restrictive. “VR headsets need to become useful to people. Right now, they solve business-to-business problems but they’re still mostly just fun for the end consumer,” Ridderstad explained. So, Apple’s shift from AR glasses to MR headsets makes sense given the broader need to make immersive technology more accessible and affordable.

Ridderstad also believes that Apple will remain a key player in the industry, despite delays on its AR glasses. Consumers continue to trust Apple to produce well-researched and designed products. Considering the price, design, and content of these headsets, the market needs to see more affordable and functional headsets. “Since most people are just starting to see what these new technologies can do, we have to remind ourselves that this evolution is going to take time,” she said. “The real end consumer adoption will probably happen with Apple this time too.”

The True Value of XR Goes Beyond Gaming and Entertainment

XR technology has long been associated with gaming. But Ridderstad argues that the true value of XR lies in its potential in business, training, and education.

Her company, Warpin Reality, has developed a platform called Xelevate, which allows companies to launch customizable VR training courses for their employees. These courses range from safety drills to customer experience simulations and personality development workshops. Platforms like this have allowed construction companies to train their people on safety and equipment use and taught employees what to do during emergencies.

Ridderstad believes that VR/AR can optimize focus, learning, and training. She cites a PwC study that found that VR learners are more focused, learn more quickly, and are more emotionally engaged than e-learners. It could also create opportunities in remote work for those who struggle with in-person demands such as people with disabilities.

Diversity and Accessibility in Tech

For years, the tech industry has been known to be a boys’ club. This still remains true in the metaverse. A McKinsey report found that in organizations shaping metaverse standards, 90% of leadership roles are held by men. Ridderstad warns, “The metaverse is not going to be an environment that people want to be in unless everyone feels welcome and comfortable. I think it is safe to say that unless women play their part in building the metaverse, and take their place among its architects, it won’t be.”

These technologies have the potential to revolutionize the future, so it’s important that they are designed for both men and women to see a higher level of adoption.

Apple AR Glasses Put on Hold to Make Way for MR Glasses – VR and Metaverse Expert Weighs In Read More »

Another CES 2023 Gem: Next-Gen Z-Lens Waveguide Technology by Lumus

AR glasses, augmented reality, featured, Hardware, lumus, optics / Rejus Almole / January 19, 2023

Lumus has recently launched its Z-Lens AR architecture, which can help with the development of more compact AR glasses in the near future, thanks to efforts that reduced its micro-projector’s size by 50%.

Making its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023, the new Z-Lens—which builds on the company’s Maximus 2D reflective waveguide technology—can be fitted with prescription lenses.

Lumus’ Waveguide Technology

According to the company, Lumus is currently the only brand that produces waveguides for outdoor use. Its luminance efficiency is 10 times better than those of Lumus’s competitors. Its design allows for a “true white” background and color uniformity. Moreover, the battery life of its micro-projector is 10 times better than other waveguides on the market.

The structure of the new Z-Lens gives manufacturers more options regarding where to position the aperture or the opening where the light passes through. Lumus CEO, Ari Grobman, expressed optimism that this flexibility can lead to the creation of less bulky and more “natural-looking” AR eyewear.

“In order for AR glasses to penetrate the consumer market in a meaningful way, they need to be impressive both functionally and aesthetically,” said Grobman in a press release shared with ARPost. “With Z-Lens, we’re aligning form and function, eliminating barriers of entry for the industry, and paving the way for widespread consumer adoption.”

Z-Lens 2D Image Expansion

In AR glasses, the lenses that use Z-Lens reflective waveguides will serve as the “screen” onto which a tiny projector would display the AR image. Lumus’s lenses consist of waveguides or a series of cascading partially reflective mirrors. These mirrors are responsible for 2D expansion, widening the projected image horizontally and vertically.

Lumus Z-Lens new waveguide technology

Maximus’ patented waveguides reflect the light from the projector two times before the light bounces into your eye. The mini-projector—which is hidden in the temple of the eyeglass frame—has two components. First is a microdisplay that produces the virtual image and second is a collimator, which beams the light waves to the waveguide. The mirrors then reflect the light out of the waveguide to the user’s eyes.

“Our introduction of Maximus 2D reflective waveguide technology two years ago was just the beginning,” said Grobman. “Z-Lens, with all of its improvements unlocks the future of augmented reality that consumers are eagerly waiting for.”

New Z-Lens Standout Features

Lumus’s second-generation Z-Lens boasts a lightweight projector with a 2K by 2K vibrant color resolution and 3K-nit/watt brightness. The latter feature allows users to enjoy AR viewing in daylight or outdoors. Other AR lenses on the market feature sunglass-type tinting on their products to ensure that users can view virtual images. The absence of dark tints allows others to see the user’s eyes as if they’re wearing regular eyeglasses.

The first prototypes of Z-Lens have a 50-degree field of view (FOV). However, the company’s goal is to reach at least 80 degrees FOV in the future.

Z-Lens waveguide technology - Lumus

Here are the other qualities of the Maximus successor:

Eliminates ambient light artifacts or small light glares on the optical display that typically occur in AR eyewear.
Offers dynamic focal lens integration, which eases vergence-accommodation conflict (VAC). VAC can make images blurry because virtual objects appear closer to the eyes than their actual distance from them.
Z-Lens architecture allows for direct bonding of optical elements for prescription glasses.
Provides more privacy through light leakage control. Third parties can’t view the displays seen by the wearer. Moreover, users don’t draw attention because Z-Lens don’t produce any “eye glow.”

“The Future Is Looking Up”

Waveguides already have practical applications in the military and medical professions, particularly among air force pilots and spinal surgeons. Lumus believes these wearable displays can someday overtake mobile phone screens and laptop monitors as hands-free communication tools.

“AR glasses are poised to transform our society,” Grobman said. “They feature better ergonomics than smartphones, novel interaction opportunities with various environments and businesses, and a much more seamless experience than handheld devices. The future, quite literally, is looking up.”

Another CES 2023 Gem: Next-Gen Z-Lens Waveguide Technology by Lumus Read More »