AR glasses: Difference between revisions
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In 2016 [[Microsoft]] launched the first [[Microsoft HoloLens]] as the first untethered, [[binocular]] [[mixed reality|MR]] headset for [[enterprise]] use, featuring [[spatial mapping]] cameras and [[gesture control]].<ref name="HoloLensVerge">The Verge (April 1, 2016). "Microsoft HoloLens review: the future, now". Retrieved 30 April 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/1/11346518/microsoft-hololens-review-augmented-reality</ref> HoloLens (and its 2019 successor HoloLens 2) brought advanced [[SLAM]] and interaction (voice, hands) to AR glasses. In 2018 [[Magic Leap]] released the [[Magic Leap One]] “Creator Edition”, an MR headset using [[diffractive waveguide]] optics and a powerful tethered compute pack.<ref name="MagicLeapAxios">Axios (Dec 20, 2017). "Magic Leap finally unveils its first augmented reality headset". Retrieved 30 April 2025. https://www.axios.com/2017/12/20/magic-leap-finally-unveils-its-first-augmented-reality-headset-1513802108</ref> Meanwhile [[consumer electronics|consumer]] AR eyewear efforts appeared: [[Snap Inc.]] introduced the original Snap [[Spectacles (Snap)|Spectacles]] (2016) as camera glasses, and later the 4th generation Spectacles (2021) with dual [[waveguide]] displays, 6-DoF tracking, and AR effects for creators.<ref name="Spectacles2021">The Verge (May 20, 2021). "Snap unveils AR Spectacles that overlay digital images on the real world". Retrieved 30 April 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/20/22445184/snap-spectacles-augmented-reality-glasses-announced-specs-price</ref> Other attempts included fashionable AR frames like [[North Focals]] and [[Ray-Ban Stories]] (camera-equipped smartglasses by [[Meta Platforms]] and [[Ray-Ban]]). | In 2016 [[Microsoft]] launched the first [[Microsoft HoloLens]] as the first untethered, [[binocular]] [[mixed reality|MR]] headset for [[enterprise]] use, featuring [[spatial mapping]] cameras and [[gesture control]].<ref name="HoloLensVerge">The Verge (April 1, 2016). "Microsoft HoloLens review: the future, now". Retrieved 30 April 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/1/11346518/microsoft-hololens-review-augmented-reality</ref> HoloLens (and its 2019 successor HoloLens 2) brought advanced [[SLAM]] and interaction (voice, hands) to AR glasses. In 2018 [[Magic Leap]] released the [[Magic Leap One]] “Creator Edition”, an MR headset using [[diffractive waveguide]] optics and a powerful tethered compute pack.<ref name="MagicLeapAxios">Axios (Dec 20, 2017). "Magic Leap finally unveils its first augmented reality headset". Retrieved 30 April 2025. https://www.axios.com/2017/12/20/magic-leap-finally-unveils-its-first-augmented-reality-headset-1513802108</ref> Meanwhile [[consumer electronics|consumer]] AR eyewear efforts appeared: [[Snap Inc.]] introduced the original Snap [[Spectacles (Snap)|Spectacles]] (2016) as camera glasses, and later the 4th generation Spectacles (2021) with dual [[waveguide]] displays, 6-DoF tracking, and AR effects for creators.<ref name="Spectacles2021">The Verge (May 20, 2021). "Snap unveils AR Spectacles that overlay digital images on the real world". Retrieved 30 April 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/20/22445184/snap-spectacles-augmented-reality-glasses-announced-specs-price</ref> Other attempts included fashionable AR frames like [[North Focals]] and [[Ray-Ban Stories]] (camera-equipped smartglasses by [[Meta Platforms]] and [[Ray-Ban]]). | ||
By the early 2020s, virtually all major tech players signaled interest in AR glasses. In 2023 [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] unveiled the [[Apple Vision Pro]], a premium [[mixed reality]] headset combining high-resolution [[micro-OLED]] displays (23 million pixels total), [[video pass-through]] AR, an [[Apple M2|M2]] [[system-on-chip|SoC]] and a custom [[Apple R1|R1]] sensor-fusion chip.<ref name=" | By the early 2020s, virtually all major tech players signaled interest in AR glasses. In 2023 [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] unveiled the [[Apple Vision Pro]], a premium [[mixed reality]] headset combining high-resolution [[micro-OLED]] displays (23 million pixels total), [[video pass-through]] AR, an [[Apple M2|M2]] [[system-on-chip|SoC]] and a custom [[Apple R1|R1]] sensor-fusion chip.<ref name="VisionProAvailability"> | ||
Apple Inc. (January 8, 2024). “Apple Vision Pro available in the U.S. on February 2”. | |||
Press release. Retrieved 30 April 2025. | |||
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-vision-pro-available-in-the-us-on-february-2/ | |||
</ref> [[Meta Platforms]] (Facebook) showcased prototypes ([[Project Aria]]) and in 2024 discussed “[[Project Orion (Meta)|Project Orion]]” – a prototype glasses-style AR device featuring silicon-carbide [[microLED]] waveguides and an on-device [[AI]] assistant.<ref name="OrionVerge">The Verge (Oct 15, 2024). "Meta shows off Orion AR glasses prototype with AI assistant". Retrieved 30 April 2025. https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/15/24270310/meta-connect-2024-project-orion-ar-glasses-prototype-ai-assistant</ref> Other recent entries include [[Lenovo]]’s [[Lenovo ThinkReality A3|ThinkReality A3]], [[Pico (VR company)|Pico]]’s AR headsets, and continuing updates from enterprise vendors like [[Vuzix]] ([[Vuzix Blade 2|Blade 2]]) and [[Epson]] ([[Epson Moverio BT-45|Moverio BT-45 series]]). Industry analysts note that the modern wave of AR glasses began around 2012 and accelerated after 2015 with breakthroughs in [[waveguide]] optics and miniaturized components. As of 2025 the technology continues to evolve rapidly. | |||
== Technical components == | == Technical components == | ||
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=== Processing and Power === | === Processing and Power === | ||
Standalone (untethered) glasses rely on mobile [[system-on-chip|SoCs]] such as [[Qualcomm]]’s [[Snapdragon#XR (Extended Reality)|Snapdragon XR]] series or [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]’s dual-chip [[Apple M2|M2]] + [[Apple R1|R1]] architecture in the [[Apple Vision Pro]].<ref name=" | Standalone (untethered) glasses rely on mobile [[system-on-chip|SoCs]] such as [[Qualcomm]]’s [[Snapdragon#XR (Extended Reality)|Snapdragon XR]] series or [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]’s dual-chip [[Apple M2|M2]] + [[Apple R1|R1]] architecture in the [[Apple Vision Pro]].<ref name="VisionProAvailability" /><ref name="QualcommXR2">Qualcomm. "Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 Platform". Retrieved 30 April 2025. https://www.qualcomm.com/products/mobile/snapdragon/xr-platforms/snapdragon-xr2-plus-gen-2-platform</ref> [[Tethered computing|Tethered]] designs (e.g., early [[Magic Leap One]]) off-load computation to a [[smartphone]] or belt-worn “compute puck” to reduce head-borne weight and potentially increase performance. [[Battery (electricity)|Battery]] life remains a significant constraint, typically lasting only a few hours under active use. | ||
== Types of AR glasses == | == Types of AR glasses == | ||