MARCH 11, 2021

Smart Glasses: use cases, challenges, and future potential

Smart glasses, the eyewear technology that layers information onto a user’s field of view, started off as simple front-end displays. Throughout the years, we saw it progressing to being capable of performing complex computer-powered tasks. Below, we will cover a few highly-rated devices, followed by successful use case applications.

Unlike the 100% immersive virtual reality headsets, smart glasses give users a sense of physical and digital worlds simultaneously, providing a much more natural experience. This experience is achieved through either an Optical Head-Mounted Display (OHMD), Augmented Reality (AR) technology, or through Heads Up Display Glasses (HUD).

Despite its continuous growth and value potential in the enterprise and industrial sectors, these wearable computer glasses still face challenges that delay them from reaching mass-market usage.

Challenges

Facing a defining moment, smart glasses companies currently strive to expand their ground. Even though businesses are finding great workflow solutions through eyewear technology, the public will still have to wait a little longer to reap the benefits of mass accessibility and usage.

Smart glasses producers have realized that to reach mass-market usage, they must first overcome the challenge of balancing functionality and wearability at an affordable cost.

Despite these challenges, there are many smart glasses in circulation today providing great value to various users. Below, we will cover a few highly-rated devices, followed by successful use case applications.

Smart Glasses

Lenovo ThinkReality A6

The ThinkReality A6 AR headset includes inside-out 6DoF tracking to optimize AR experiences and enable industrial versatility. This mobile device is designed to help the workforce use AR applications to receive expert assistance, reduce repair times, decrease errors, streamline complex workflows, improve training quality, and save costs. The device is powered by Wikitude image and object recognition technology.

Epson Moverio BT-300

This lightweight eyewear device contains a front-facing camera, motion tracker, and a display on each lens. The device is suitable for entertainment, manufacturing, medical science, and more.

Supported by Wikitude: optimized Epson SDK

Vuzix M300

These smart glasses provide an agile workplace, with fully connected staff and managers. Industry operations are facilitated by the wide range of apps available, a built-in HD camera, AMLCD display, and more.

Supported by Wikitude: optimized Vuzix SDK

Mira Prism Pro

Since no plugs, computers, or wires are needed, this AR headset offers an alternative way to interact with holographic images. The company has recently raised ﹩10 million funding and decided to focus solely on the industrial use of the headsets. Mira Prism Pro device features external cameras and a see-through interface, allowing hands-free intuitive interactions with the real world.

To be supported by Wikitude: optimized Mira Prisma SDK

HoloLens

The HoloLens is an untethered mixed reality device that is designed to deliver value instantly. Users get the benefits of using cloud and AI services from Microsoft—including reliability, security, and scalability.

Being one of the leading mixed reality headset devices on the market, Wikitude has optimized its augmented reality SDK to support and complement the Microsoft HoloLens 1. 

Use cases

Better than asking what a specific device is capable of, we want to answer a more important question. What are some solutions smart glasses can provide? What is stirring the computerized eyewear market right now?

Video Collaboration

The most prominent application for smart glasses today is most definitely video collaboration. The ability to work together with experts remotely in a “see-what-I-see” system is improving many sectors across the board. Applicable from field service to complex engineering support, remote assistance functionality makes more companies incorporate the smartglasses technology into their workflows.

Complex Manufacturing

Assembly lines are all about speed, productivity, accuracy, compliance, and quality control. These fundamental elements happen to be the exact areas in which smart glasses can deliver. In tasks where every detail counts, automotive and aerospace manufacturers implement eyewear devices to bring real-time solutions to the factory floor.

Logistics and Warehousing

While keeping their hands free and receiving directions and visual cues directly in their field of view, warehouse workers can quickly locate, collect, and deliver items. Smart glasses are substituting handheld devices, scanners, and printed materials. As a result, employees are increasing productivity while decreasing errors and subsequent costs.

Building and Construction

Using smart glasses (or smart hard hats), construction workers experience a safer, more productive hands-free workflow. Structural inspections and errors can also be more accurately held and corrected through remote solutions offered in real-time.

Validation functionality

Augmented reality solutions are invaluable when it comes to maintenance. Smart glasses allow technicians to receive step-by-step visual prompts to help accomplish tasks such as assembling, repair, or maintenance procedures. The head-mounted displays also come in handy for technicians to validate the actions to ensure that every step was correctly executed.

Consumer Level

Even though the consumer market still can grow, we can already see use cases in various areas. For example, AR guides that enhance visitors’ experiences in museums. Theaters rely on eyewear to provide instant subtitling to their guests, while tourists can easily find their way around through projected navigation directions and reviews. Athletes can have access to real-time speed, power, distance, and other indications. Drone pilots conveniently see their drone’s field of view. All these are critical and worthy niches, even if they are still far from mass adoption.

Future potential

The current use of smart glasses is convincing more and more forward-thinking businesses to hop on board. Although the widespread public usage is still pending, smart glasses have found valuable areas to operate, develop, and grow. So helpful that it is not surprising to hear that tech giants like Apple, Facebook, and Samsung are working on their AR-powered smart glasses.

Let’s take a look at the potential this technology has in store for those still not convinced.

Imagine being able to update the knowledge you need directly to an eyewear database. This scenario allows a hands-free workforce with instant access to targeted knowledge directly in their field of view. Such an implementation would ultimately increase quality control, improve maintenance, provide faster and more reliable solutions, save money on management and training, facilitate remote assistance, to name a few.

Until mass-market glasses finally hit the stores, this eyewear technology will continue doing its magic behind the curtains hidden in facilities, warehouses, and construction sites worldwide.

• W/Microphone Open Ear Headphones Directional Audio Listen Music and Calls UV Ray Protection Lenses Sport Design for Smart Phones with Blue Sunglasses Lens
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Product description

Features:

Open Ear Speaker Wireless Bluetooth Sunglasses

Music or Sound Come Out from Both Arms (Earphone Accessory Used when Needed

CSR Bluetooth High-end Chipset

US Safety Lens Standard ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2015 Impact Resistant for Eye and Face Protection Devices

99% UV Protection Polarized Lens and FDA Audited

Sweatproof Circling Sports Bluetooth Sunglasses

Perfect Combination of Bluetooth Headphone and Sunglasses Transmit Distance:30ft

Built-In Bluetooth 4.0 Speakers, Smart Assistant Voice Command, Voice Dialing from Your Phone List

Speak for Directions, Weather or Traffic Updates

Speak to Play Music from Your Favorite App Stations: Pandora , Spotify

Bluetooth Sunglasses Compatible for All Android and IOS

Bluetooth Protocol：Headset;Hands-free A2DP;BLE;SPP

Listening Music for 3 hours by Open Ear Speaker

Charging Time: 2 Hours by USB Cable

Working Temp：-5℃ to 40℃

Storage Temp：-20℃ to 60℃

Specifications:

A: Directional Audio Speakers- Usually used in high end laptops and devices, we use the best technology available to integrate into our frames. The included UV400 lenses can block up to 100% of UVA/UVB rays, but you can change them out for your own prescription lens if need.Bluetooth Sunglasses with Open Ear Technology Make Hands Free

B: Bluetooth Glasses is Compatible for all Version or Brand Name Mobile Phones, can Connect Two Smart Phones and Answer Calls from either one, but It is Not Bone Conduction sunglasses.

C: The bluetooth sunglasses are designed for your enjoyment, safety, and convenience so you can enjoy stress-free outings, whatever your goals are! The audio sunglasses allow you to talk and play music while connected to your Bluetooth enabled iOS/Android or other device. Our glasses with speakers allow you to listen to music and make hands free calls while still being aware of your surroundings. Enjoy a high quality sound with the dual stereo speaker system.

Intelligent Bluetooth Glasses SMART GLASSES Open-ear Audio Glasses Google Intelligent voice assistant

Unisex audio glasses with speakers are suitable for man and women.

Smart Glasses with built-in speakers that produce rich, immersive sound for you, while others hear practically nothing，Open-ear audio allows you to stay aware of your surroundings, while enjoying your music. True wireless earbuds bluetooth 5.0 are equipped with the more stable Bluetooth 5.0 chip, which provides faster paring and universal compatibility.The built-in high-quality microphone of the wireless headphones can provide you with clear call experience.

Provided with advanced microphones and loud speakers, Long press for 2 second to summon voice assistant, you can interact with your phone directly. Set up and hear navigation or make calls on the go.

Smart audio sunglasses bring you secure and comfortable wearing. Different from traditional headphones, there is nothing in or over your ears. It makes Bluetooth glasses suitable for outdoor activities, such as fishing, walking, jogging, skiing, sailing, hunting, golf, cycling, etc. Exquisite packaging makes this bluetooth eyeglasses very suitable as a gift for your family or friends.

The global True Wireless Stereo Headset market is expected to grow 33% (year-over-year) in 2021, reaching 310 million units

Topics
True Wireless Earphones | Earbuds | headphones and earphones

The global TWS (True Wireless Stereo Headset) market is expected to grow 33 per cent (year-over-year) in 2021, reaching 310 million units, according to a new report.

Apple will remain a leader selling around 84 million units but still lose share by 4 per cent.

Apple was expected to defend its top position despite its market share decline from 31 percent to 27 percent. China's Xiaomi was projected to see its presence remain the same as last year at 9 percent.

At third spot, Samsung's market share in 2021 was estimated to stay unchanged at 7 percent, according to market tracker Counterpoint Research.

Major top brands such as Apple are likely to launch next-generation products, which will boost the TWS market further.

"The most anticipated is a new release from Apple, its first in two years. We expect it to be one of the biggest drivers of TWS market growth from Q4 2021 to the next year. Apple will maintain strong market leadership based on its loyal customer base, although its share will inevitably fall with the intensifying competition," said Senior Research Analyst Liz Lee in a statement on Wednesday.

As Covid-19 will unlikely ease in a short time despite the spread of vaccination, the pent-up demand for high-end TWS is not expected to explode until late Q3 2021.

"At that point, the market focus will gradually shift to the mid- to high-price segment as vaccinations help consumer sentiment improve. Then, most premium brands will add advanced features and various functions to their new models and create high value addition in the long term," Lee noted.

Meanwhile, low- to mid-priced brands will further enhance price competitiveness to compete for market share.

In terms of brand performance, there was no big surprise in 2020. Apple continued to dominate but its share declined steadily through the year and fell below one-third of the TWS market.

The market slightly exceeded the initial annual estimate for 2020 to reach 233 million units, mainly driven by the strong performance of low- and mid-price segments, the report mentioned.