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|image =
|image =
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|Type = [[Head-mounted display]]
|Type = [[Smart Glasses]]
|Subtype = [[AR Glasses]]
|Subtype = [[Consumer AR]]
|Platform = USB-C tethered (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
|Developer = [[Epson]]
|Manufacturer = [[Epson]]
|Release Date = 2021
|Release Date = 2021
|Price = $579
|Price = $579 USD (BT-40) / $999 USD (BT-40S)
|Display = 2 x Si-OLED binocular
|Website = https://epson.com/For-Work/Wearables/Smart-Glasses/Moverio-BT-40-Smart-Glasses-with-USB-Type-C-Connectivity-/p/V11H969020
|Resolution = 1920x1080 per-eye
|Predecessor = [[Epson Moverio BT-35E]]
|Refresh Rate = 60 Hz
|Display = Si-OLED (see-through)
|Field of View = 34° diagonal
|Resolution = Full HD 1080p binocular
|Horizontal FoV =
|Contrast Ratio = 500,000:1
|Vertical FoV =
|Field of View = 34°
|Diagonal FoV = 34°
|Equivalent Screen Size = 120" at 16 feet
|IPD Range =  
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Sensors = GPS, Accelerometer, Compass, Head Tracking
|Audio = 3.5mm audio jack
|Connectivity = USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
|Weight = Light (glasses only)
}}
}}


'''Epson Moverio BT-40''' is an [[augmented reality]] [[head-mounted display]] released in 2021.
The '''Epson Moverio BT-40''' is a consumer [[augmented reality]] [[smart glasses]] developed by [[Epson]], released in March 2021. The BT-40 features Epson's Si-OLED technology delivering Full HD 1080p binocular displays with an exceptional 500,000:1 contrast ratio, appearing like a 120-inch screen from 16 feet away with a 34° field of view. Using plug-and-play USB Type-C connectivity with DisplayPort Alt Mode, the glasses work with compatible smartphones, tablets, and laptops without requiring onboard processing. Available as the basic BT-40 ($579) or BT-40S ($999) with an intelligent Android touch controller, the Moverio BT-40 targets AR development, entertainment, and personal viewing applications.


== Specifications ==
== History and Development ==
* '''Display:''' 2 x Si-OLED binocular
* '''Resolution:''' 1920x1080 per-eye
* '''Refresh Rate:''' 60 Hz
* '''Field of View:''' 34° diagonal


* '''Price:''' $579
Epson announced the Moverio BT-40 in March 2021 as the next generation of its Moverio AR smart glasses line. The BT-40 simplified the design by using USB-C tethering to host devices rather than integrated processing, reducing weight and complexity while delivering superior display quality. The BT-40S variant includes the BO-IC400 intelligent touch controller running Android 9.0 for standalone AR applications. The Moverio line has been a pioneer in see-through AR glasses since the original BT-100 in 2011.<ref name="epson">{{cite web |url=https://news.epson.com/news/moverio-bt-40-40s-ar-smart-glasses |title=Epson Unveils Next Generation of Moverio AR Smart Glasses |publisher=Epson |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>
 
== Design and Hardware ==
 
=== Display ===
 
Premium Si-OLED technology:
 
* '''Full HD 1080p''' binocular display
* '''Si-OLED technology''' (Silicon OLED)
* '''500,000:1 contrast ratio'''
* '''34° field of view'''
* Appears like '''120-inch screen''' at 16 feet
* See-through optics
* Transparent when not displaying
* Crisp, bright images
* True blacks (OLED)
 
=== Optics ===
 
* Binocular stereoscopic display
* See-through design
* Peripheral vision maintained
* '''Magnetic shade attachment''' (for outdoor use)
* Fits over prescription eyewear
 
=== Sensors ===
 
Built-in tracking:
 
* '''GPS'''
* '''Accelerometer'''
* '''Compass'''
* '''Head tracking'''
* '''Motion tracking'''
* 6DoF development support
 
=== Connectivity ===
 
Plug-and-play design:
 
* '''USB Type-C''' connection
* '''DisplayPort Alt Mode''' required
* Compatible with smartphones
* Compatible with tablets
* Compatible with laptops
* Cable housing unit (belt clip)
* '''3.5mm audio jack'''
 
=== Build ===
 
Comfortable glasses form:
 
* Lightweight glasses design
* Ergonomic fit
* Flexible temple hinges
* Optional nose pads
* Fits wide range of head sizes
* Over-prescription compatible
* Conventional glasses appearance
 
== Variants ==
 
=== BT-40 (Basic) ===
* $579 MSRP
* Glasses only
* USB-C tethered to host device
* Display and sensors only
* Host device provides processing
 
=== BT-40S (with Controller) ===
* $999 MSRP
* Includes '''BO-IC400 controller'''
* '''Android 9.0''' (Google certified)
* Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
* '''13 MP autofocus camera'''
* Flashlight
* Noise-canceling microphone
* Touchscreen interface
* Expandable storage (up to 2 TB)
* IPx2 rated
* 5-hour battery life
* Google Play compatible
 
== Applications ==
 
=== AR Development ===
* Lens development platform
* Prototype testing
* AR experience creation
* SDK support
 
=== Entertainment ===
* Personal cinema experience
* Gaming
* Video viewing
* 120" virtual screen
 
=== Drone Operation ===
* FPV viewing
* Drone control
* Aerial photography
 
=== Professional ===
* Presentations
* Training
* Remote viewing
* Design visualization
 
== Technical Specifications ==
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Specification !! BT-40 !! BT-40S
|-
| Display || Full HD 1080p Si-OLED || Same
|-
| FOV || 34° || Same
|-
| Contrast || 500,000:1 || Same
|-
| Virtual Screen || 120" at 16' || Same
|-
| Connection || USB-C || USB-C + Controller
|-
| Controller || Not included || Android 9.0
|-
| Camera || Via host device || 13 MP (controller)
|-
| Battery || Via host || 5 hours (controller)
|-
| Price || $579 || $999
|}
 
== Reception ==
 
'''Praise:'''
* Full HD 1080p impressive resolution
* 500,000:1 contrast outstanding
* Si-OLED true blacks
* 34° FOV wider than competitors
* 120" equivalent screen immersive
* Plug-and-play convenient
* Fits over prescription glasses
* Lightweight design
* BT-40S Android controller versatile
* Head tracking for AR development
 
'''Criticism:'''
* Requires DisplayPort Alt Mode host
* Limited device compatibility
* No standalone capability (BT-40)
* BT-40S controller separate
* $579-$999 pricing
* Limited mainstream appeal
* Niche use cases
* Wired connection required<ref name="bhphoto">{{cite web |url=https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1634767-REG/epson_v11h969020_moverio_bt_40_smart_glasses.html |title=Epson Moverio BT-40 |publisher=B&H Photo |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Augmented Reality]]
* [[Epson Moverio BT-35E]]
* [[Head-mounted display]]
* [[Vuzix Blade]]
* [[AR Glasses]]
* [[Xreal Air 2]]
* [[Rokid Max]]
 
== References ==
{{reflist}}


[[Category:AR Glasses]]
[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Head-mounted displays]]
[[Category:Augmented Reality Devices]]
[[Category:Smart Glasses]]
[[Category:Epson]]
[[Category:2021 in technology]]

Revision as of 16:28, 7 January 2026

Epson Moverio BT-40
Basic Info
VR/AR Augmented Reality
Type Smart Glasses
Subtype Consumer AR
Platform USB-C tethered (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
Developer Epson
Manufacturer Epson
Release Date 2021
Price $579 USD (BT-40) / $999 USD (BT-40S)
Website https://epson.com/For-Work/Wearables/Smart-Glasses/Moverio-BT-40-Smart-Glasses-with-USB-Type-C-Connectivity-/p/V11H969020
Predecessor Epson Moverio BT-35E
System
Storage
Display
Display Si-OLED (see-through)
Resolution Full HD 1080p binocular
Image
Field of View 34°
Optics
Ocularity Binocular
Tracking
Audio
Audio 3.5mm audio jack
Connectivity
Connectivity USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode)
Device
Weight Light (glasses only)
Sensors GPS, Accelerometer, Compass, Head Tracking


The Epson Moverio BT-40 is a consumer augmented reality smart glasses developed by Epson, released in March 2021. The BT-40 features Epson's Si-OLED technology delivering Full HD 1080p binocular displays with an exceptional 500,000:1 contrast ratio, appearing like a 120-inch screen from 16 feet away with a 34° field of view. Using plug-and-play USB Type-C connectivity with DisplayPort Alt Mode, the glasses work with compatible smartphones, tablets, and laptops without requiring onboard processing. Available as the basic BT-40 ($579) or BT-40S ($999) with an intelligent Android touch controller, the Moverio BT-40 targets AR development, entertainment, and personal viewing applications.

History and Development

Epson announced the Moverio BT-40 in March 2021 as the next generation of its Moverio AR smart glasses line. The BT-40 simplified the design by using USB-C tethering to host devices rather than integrated processing, reducing weight and complexity while delivering superior display quality. The BT-40S variant includes the BO-IC400 intelligent touch controller running Android 9.0 for standalone AR applications. The Moverio line has been a pioneer in see-through AR glasses since the original BT-100 in 2011.[1]

Design and Hardware

Display

Premium Si-OLED technology:

  • Full HD 1080p binocular display
  • Si-OLED technology (Silicon OLED)
  • 500,000:1 contrast ratio
  • 34° field of view
  • Appears like 120-inch screen at 16 feet
  • See-through optics
  • Transparent when not displaying
  • Crisp, bright images
  • True blacks (OLED)

Optics

  • Binocular stereoscopic display
  • See-through design
  • Peripheral vision maintained
  • Magnetic shade attachment (for outdoor use)
  • Fits over prescription eyewear

Sensors

Built-in tracking:

  • GPS
  • Accelerometer
  • Compass
  • Head tracking
  • Motion tracking
  • 6DoF development support

Connectivity

Plug-and-play design:

  • USB Type-C connection
  • DisplayPort Alt Mode required
  • Compatible with smartphones
  • Compatible with tablets
  • Compatible with laptops
  • Cable housing unit (belt clip)
  • 3.5mm audio jack

Build

Comfortable glasses form:

  • Lightweight glasses design
  • Ergonomic fit
  • Flexible temple hinges
  • Optional nose pads
  • Fits wide range of head sizes
  • Over-prescription compatible
  • Conventional glasses appearance

Variants

BT-40 (Basic)

  • $579 MSRP
  • Glasses only
  • USB-C tethered to host device
  • Display and sensors only
  • Host device provides processing

BT-40S (with Controller)

  • $999 MSRP
  • Includes BO-IC400 controller
  • Android 9.0 (Google certified)
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
  • 13 MP autofocus camera
  • Flashlight
  • Noise-canceling microphone
  • Touchscreen interface
  • Expandable storage (up to 2 TB)
  • IPx2 rated
  • 5-hour battery life
  • Google Play compatible

Applications

AR Development

  • Lens development platform
  • Prototype testing
  • AR experience creation
  • SDK support

Entertainment

  • Personal cinema experience
  • Gaming
  • Video viewing
  • 120" virtual screen

Drone Operation

  • FPV viewing
  • Drone control
  • Aerial photography

Professional

  • Presentations
  • Training
  • Remote viewing
  • Design visualization

Technical Specifications

Specification BT-40 BT-40S
Display Full HD 1080p Si-OLED Same
FOV 34° Same
Contrast 500,000:1 Same
Virtual Screen 120" at 16' Same
Connection USB-C USB-C + Controller
Controller Not included Android 9.0
Camera Via host device 13 MP (controller)
Battery Via host 5 hours (controller)
Price $579 $999

Reception

Praise:

  • Full HD 1080p impressive resolution
  • 500,000:1 contrast outstanding
  • Si-OLED true blacks
  • 34° FOV wider than competitors
  • 120" equivalent screen immersive
  • Plug-and-play convenient
  • Fits over prescription glasses
  • Lightweight design
  • BT-40S Android controller versatile
  • Head tracking for AR development

Criticism:

  • Requires DisplayPort Alt Mode host
  • Limited device compatibility
  • No standalone capability (BT-40)
  • BT-40S controller separate
  • $579-$999 pricing
  • Limited mainstream appeal
  • Niche use cases
  • Wired connection required[2]

See Also

References