Display and projector specialist Epson has launched a new set of binocular see-through smart glasses, which it believes could have real traction in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – Announcing and demonstrating the new glasses at Mobile Word Congress, Epson detailed how the third-generation Moverio smart glasses for augmented reality (BT-300) feature the firm’s ‘breakthrough’ silicon-based OLED (organic light emitting diode) digital display technology, enabling transparent mobile augmented reality (AR) experiences for business and consumers.
The firm also claims that the Moverio BT-300 is the lightest binocular see-though smart glasses announced to date, and is more than 20 percent lighter than its predecessor, the Moverio BT-200.
The glasses are powered by a quad core Intel Atom X5 processor and the Android 5.1 operating system, enabling efficient rendering of complex 3D experiences. An upgraded 5-megapixel front-facing camera and on-board sensors enable the Moverio BT-300 to more precisely determine the location of objects in the real world. The Si-OLED projection system can then ‘seamlessly’ render and lock 3D content to these objects, with no display background or edges in the field of view.
The Epson Moverio BT-300 will be available in late 2016 and is available for pre-order on the Epson website.
“The Epson Moverio BT-300 is a major leap forward in mobile AR smart eyewear, with its comfortable, lightweight form factor and amazing new display engine – and at a price comparable to smartphones,” said Eric Mizufuka, product manager, new ventures for Epson America.
“The transition from LCD backlit projection to Si-OLED enables higher contrast levels, a wider colour gamut and true display transparency – this is a game-changing technology that will accelerate the adoption of AR glasses.”
Wearables in healthcare
“We’ve built our AR ecosystem of partners and solutions over the past five years and three commercially available products – it’s been a long journey and we’ve learned a lot. We’ve incorporated these learnings into the design of the Moverio BT-300 and are confident that this device will be the standard in the AR glasses category,” Mizufuka added. “In addition to pursuing new markets for our technology, we will rapidly scale in areas where we’ve had commercial success, including drone photography, remote support, AR training/maintenance, healthcare, retail, logistics and more.”
“The Moverio BT-300 marks an impressive advance in performance for the platform, and will offer drone pilots crystal clear, transparent first person views (FPV) from the drone camera while simultaneously maintaining their line of sight with their aircraft,” continued Michael Perry, director of strategic partnerships, DJI.
“The Moverio smart eyewear will make flying and filming safer and help users stay in compliance with local and federal regulations. We are excited to see the incredible applications that can be built with the BT-300 and the recently relaunched DJI SDK – the possibilities truly are endless.”
Internet of Business executives met with Epson during the show, even trying on the glasses to see the augmented reality (AR) in motion. Executives at the firm told us that it is trialling the AR glasses in healthcare, with hopes to roll-out further deployments in the coming months.