You definitely remember the project Google Glass. It was a connected accessory that made it possible to receive information directly at eye level. All the intelligence (SoC, RAM, storage, battery) is housed in a chassis that connects to a glasses frame. This chassis featured a tactile surface for navigating menus. In front of the right eye was a small screen that displayed useful information. And of course, everything depends on a smartphone.
Google Glass was also equipped with a speaker, microphone and camera. You can take photos or videos, listen to music, talk to the Google Assistant, or make a phone call. Purpose Glass smart phone replacement that would just lack connectivity. But it raised big questions about privacy and protecting life. An argument grew. He took advantage of the project, which Google later turned into a product for professionals. It was in 2017.
AirGlass: A connected accessory that replaces Google Glass
Since then, various initiatives have been developed in the field of augmented reality. best known shows. But aside from Apple Glass, which should arrive this year, we’re also looking forward to Apple Glass. Facebook or Samsung. However, another mobile phone brand involved in the discussion: Oppo. The Chinese firm did indeed offer a connected accessory called during Inno Days 2021. weather glass.
AirGlass is an accessory that ergonomically resembles Google Glass. There we find a very long chassis in which all the technical elements are housed: the SoC, a Snapdragon Wear 4100, RAM, storage, battery and a micro projector. Oppo promises 3 hours of autonomy in continuous use. The surface of the shell has touch controls to control the AirGlass.
The set weighs approx. 30 grams and is worn on the right arm of a traditional eyeglass. A “screen” is located at the front end of the AirGlass case. It is a special glass protected by synthetic sapphire information and images from spark micro projector. The second consists of a micro LED, a waveguide and 5 lenses. The system was developed by Oppo.
AirGlass: a linked box that attaches to a spectacle frame
The accessory is infused into a classic eyeglass frame. Or almost. this montage connection system To attach the AirGlass. Oppo offers tailored frames with which you can mount lenses with or without correction. Hyperopia and myopia are supported. However, Oppo does not mention compatibility with progressive lenses. There is also a version without glass.
The system runs on a proprietary operating system, but a Android compatible app. This app can be installed on both a smartphone and a connected watch, especially the Oppo Watch 2, which the brand launched in July 2021. The Oppo Watch 2 and AirGlass combination offers some interesting ergonomic advantages. remote control of glasses on the watch. An SDK is available for developers who want to enrich the experience.
AirGlass is an assisted reality accessory, not augmented reality
Oppo launches AirGlass ” assisted reality “. It’s not augmented reality. This means that the information displayed can be contextual, but not based on what you see in front of you. You don’t have to wait for visual guidance with an arrow telling you where to go. It’s more ” head-up display » for textual information rather than visual: weather, calendar, health, navigation etc.
One of the interesting uses offered by Oppo is, simultaneous translation. The two interlocutors speak to each other in different languages, but they understand each other thanks to the translation that appears live on the AirGlass screen. Works with today chinese and english. However, Korean and Japanese will be added soon (but not in French yet). An app that reminds you of the automatic translation that Google introduced with the Pixel 6.
AirGlass will not revolutionize the micro segment of connected head-up displays. But Oppo can help democratize it. Everything will obviously depend on the price of the accessory. Marketing will begin in China early next year.. No price was announced. And with no international launch planned yet, the firm is definitely waiting for initial feedback to consider.
