High Tech Glasses Are Changing the Way We Look at Eyewear

Eyeglasses are one of the most common items in the world. But now, they’re being re-invented with high tech features. These innovative glasses are changing the way we live.

These sleek frames do just about everything a smart pair should do. They include a camera for taking pictures and recording video, Bluetooth to play music and podcasts, voice control for your assistant, and even notification alerts.

Self-focusing lenses

The days of bifocals or constantly swapping out reading glasses may be numbered. A team led by University of Utah electrical and computer engineering professor Carlos Mastrangelo is working on a pair of smart glasses with liquid lenses that can automatically adjust their focus, depending on whether the wearer is looking at something far away or close up.

The team’s prototype glasses consist of lenses made of glycerin, a thick clear liquid, enclosed in flexible membranes. A distance meter on the glasses’ bridge uses infrared light to detect nearby objects and calculate their distance from the lens. This information is sent to actuators, which can mechanically move back and forth to change the curvature of the glycerin lenses. The entire process takes just 14 milliseconds.

This isn’t the first time such a technology has been developed. It’s similar to ballistic lenses, which are used in military applications to protect eyes from shrapnel and other projectiles. The high tech glasses UA researchers’ goal is to develop a more comfortable and stylish version of their invention, with less bulky lenses that can fit in the frames of regular glasses.

For the project to be successful, the researchers need to reduce the weight and thickness of their lenses, and they also need to improve their eye-tracking and depth camera capabilities so that the lenses can accurately figure out what the wearer is looking at. But if they can do it, Mastrangelo says the smart glasses could be on the market within two or three years.

Augmented reality (AR)

AR overlays computer-generated images onto your view of the real world. These images may be 3D objects, text, video, or simple diagrams. You can control the AR experience through touch, voice, or other gestures. AR applications typically come with thousands of digital assets to choose from, and you can also create your own.

Unlike virtual reality (VR), which immerses you in a virtual space, AR uses software to interpret your environment and overlay digital content on top of it. For example, a pair of glasses might display a live map of your location, along with arrows and icons that direct you to nearby attractions. It can even give you a virtual walking tour of the place you are visiting.

In healthcare, AR can help doctors practice procedures without risking the lives of patients. A company called AccuVein, for instance, uses AR to project images of veins on a patient’s arm, making it easier to insert IVs. Similarly, neurosurgeons use AR to aid them in surgeries by projecting 3D models of brains.

The AR technology in high tech glasses combines glass lenses that allow natural light to pass through to your eyes with LED or OLED displays that show computer-generated images. It can be used in different ways, including by a mobile app to superimpose digitised objects from store catalogues and see what they would look like in your home. It is also used by athletes to track their performance, such as speed and power.

Voice control

Unlike headsets, which require you to take your hands off your smartphone and can be a major distraction, smart glasses allow you to control your device with voice commands. The technology is still in its early stages, but it can help you perform tasks, play music and even read out text messages. Some models also feature facial recognition, allowing them to recognize your voice and react accordingly.

For example, if you are reading a text message and someone tries to interrupt your focus, the glasses will tell you who is trying to get your attention. Other features, like VIP filtering, let you hear only the most important notifications. You can also set your glasses to automatically turn off the ambient microphone when you aren’t talking.

Another exciting development is that smart glasses are able to capture live video and audio. While this technology is still limited, it has the potential to transform our daily lives. Google Glass has already been adapted for medical use, enabling nurses to record home visits. The glasses then transcribe the recording into text that can be shared with colleagues.

Most models are designed with a camera lens and Bluetooth speakers in the arms of the frame. While the frames may taper near your ears like regular glasses, they can then widen to form small speakers that play into your ears. This design is often more comfortable than headphones, and allows wearers to remain aware of their surroundings.

Bluetooth

Many high tech glasses are fitted with Bluetooth. This enables them to connect to other devices, such as mobile phones and tablets. The wireless connection allows users to control their smart glasses by voice and to high tech glasses hear music and podcasts, while keeping their hands free. This is particularly useful for commuters who do not want to hold a smartphone or tablet in their hand while on the move.

A pair of smart glasses that can take calls and stream music is a must for anyone who wants to stay connected at all times. Moreover, these glasses can also allow you to view augmented reality (AR) experiences and play 3D games on the go. The Nreal Air is a good example of such high-tech glasses. They are splash-resistant and come with tinted lenses and blue-light-filtering options. They can also be used to read notifications from your phone, make and receive calls, and adjust your home’s smart devices.

Another great option is the Amazon Echo Frames, which are essentially glasses that bring Amazon Alexa with you on the go. They can check your calendar, send text messages, call friends and family, adjust all the Alexa-connected smart devices in your house, and play music and podcasts. The frames look very similar to normal sunglasses and are comfortable to wear, with a design that prevents the display from being visible. They are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 chip and come in a range of colors.

What Are Smart Glasses With AR?

There are a lot of different options out there, but most of them fall into one of three categories. Some are designed to support augmented reality, while others focus on more specific functionality.

Ideal for outdoor sports enthusiasts such as runners and cyclists. Features a variety of performance trackers, HD camera, and a wide selection of AR applications.

Augmented Reality

Smart glasses and visors with AR provide light displays that augment the wearer’s reality. Software can recognize the environment and object, using GPS or SLAM (algorithm-based simultaneous localization and mapping technology), to determine which real-world scenes to overlay with digital 3D images or holograms. Some models also have a camera or other sensors for additional environmental recognition and object identification.

For example, home decor-focused AR apps can recognize items like windows or the corner where two walls come together and automatically generate virtual curtains and potted plants that appear in the user’s field of view to help them decide which room furniture to buy. Similarly, some kitchen and cooking AR apps can offer step-by-step instructions on how to chop vegetables, carve a roast or make sushi.

Other AR apps can provide shopping lists for a trip to the grocery store. The list can be shared with family members, who can then add or subtract items as needed. This way, shoppers can avoid returning to the store for forgotten items or being distracted by impulse buys.

AR can also improve the quality of field service work, allowing more experienced technicians to essentially “watch” their less-experienced colleagues through the device. These veteran techs can deliver schematics and interject when necessary, which helps to reduce mistakes or inefficiency. This type of remote assistance technology also allows for faster training and customer support.

Location-Based Services

Using GPS or other location-tracking technologies, smart glasses with AR can determine their user’s position in space. They can then overlay digital 3D images or holograms over the user’s environment. For example, a pair of Google Glass can display directions to nearby restaurants and landmarks in augmented reality. They can also help workers find a package on a shelf by providing them with a virtual picking list or showing them the most convenient route to a specific item.

Brands can create immersive AR experiences that immerse users in their narratives. Coca-Cola’s “Magic of Christmas” experience, for instance, transports users to a virtual winter wonderland, while The high tech glasses North Face uses AR to help customers navigate in stores. These experiences can also facilitate networking at events by displaying attendees’ information and interests.

Some brands, such as Snapchat’s Spectacles, enable users to share their experiences with friends and followers in real time. A tap on the device records up to 30 seconds of video and a snap can capture up to 10 seconds of still imagery. Other smart glasses can connect to social media and let users send messages or photos to their friends’ devices through a dedicated app. They can also play music or handle calls through built-in speakers and microphones. Most smart glasses have a battery life of three to four hours, although some can last up to nine. When shopping for a pair, look for a model with a rechargeable power supply or portable chargers to keep them charged on the go.

Voice Control

Smart glasses typically come with voice control capabilities, allowing users to interact with AR apps via a microphone or by directly speaking into the device. This can be a helpful way to navigate menus, enter search terms and access information without needing a smartphone nearby high tech glasses or being distracted by a screen. Some devices use directional speakers built into the frames that point down toward your ears, while others use bone-conduction technology to transmit audio through vibrations to your facial bones.

While it’s possible to buy standalone AR glasses that are completely independent from a mobile phone, most options still have to rely on a mobile platform like iOS or Android for processing and software support. This is because most AR systems require a powerful processor, camera and memory to work effectively. Some of the more advanced models, such as Xiaomi’s MiJia H3 AR Glasses, are tethered to a smartphone but feature a low-latency wireless link for an immersive display and high-speed data transmission.

For example, the H3s allow you to stream live sports games from a phone app and display corresponding video content on the AR display, while also recording up to 30 seconds of video or snapping pictures. Similarly, health-conscious consumers can pull up nutritional data on items while grocery shopping without needing to stop to open their phones.

Ease of Use

The ease of use offered by AR smart glasses is a major motivating factor for businesses to start using them. Employees have no trouble using the technology and quickly learn how to make use of the many functions.

For example, ALEGER’s smart glasses feature a camera that records video of the user’s surroundings. This allows the service employee or expert at the headquarters to take on the perspective of the field worker and directly instruct them hands-free. This saves time, avoids unnecessary costs for site visits and increases the quality of work.

In addition, smart glasses offer features like a barcode scanner, integrated chats with translation and live image editing. They also provide an easy connection to a digital knowledge base and allow for the direct transfer of information between employees.

With the launch of the Lenovo ThinkReality A3 smart glasses, we are seeing more companies enter the consumer market for AR devices. While some have integrated non-optical control components into the headset, others, such as the Google Glasses and the Microsoft HoloLens, rely on a smartphone for processing power.

The lightweight design of the Lenovo headset and its ergonomic features help to ensure the device is comfortable to wear. This is especially important for users who are required to use the glasses during long periods of time, such as warehouse workers and doctors.