Vuzix Blade

Vuzix Blade
Basic Info
VR/AR	Augmented Reality
Type	AR Glasses
Subtype	Enterprise AR
Platform	Vuzix App Store, Android
Creator	Vuzix
Developer	Vuzix
Manufacturer	Vuzix
Announcement Date	January 2018 (CES)
Release Date	January 2019
Price	$999 (consumer), ~$1,000 (enterprise)
Website	https://www.vuzix.com/
Versions	Vuzix Blade, Vuzix Blade 2, Vuzix Blade 2 Safety
Requires	Optional smartphone companion
Predecessor	Vuzix M300
Successor	Vuzix Blade 2
System
Operating System	Android (custom)
Chipset	Quad Core ARM A53
CPU	Quad Core ARM Cortex-A53
GPU	Integrated
Storage
Storage	8GB flash
Memory	1GB RAM
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	Single waveguide display (right eye)
Subpixel Layout	Full color
Peak Brightness	700-4000+ nits
Resolution	480 × 480
Pixel Density	N/A
Refresh Rate	60Hz
Persistence	N/A
Image
Field of View	19° (28° adjustable window)
Horizontal FoV	~19°
Vertical FoV	~19°
Average Pixel Density	N/A
Peak Pixel Density	N/A
Foveated Rendering	No
Optics
Optics	Vuzix waveguide
Ocularity	Monocular (right eye)
IPD Range	N/A (monocular)
Adjustable Diopter	No (prescription lens options)
Passthrough	Native see-through (AR glasses)
Tracking
Tracking	No (notification/display only)
Tracking Frequency	N/A
Base Stations	None
Eye Tracking	No
Face Tracking	No
Hand Tracking	No
Body Tracking	No
Rotational Tracking	Limited (head motion detection)
Positional Tracking	No
Update Rate	N/A
Tracking Volume	N/A
Play Space	N/A
Latency	N/A
Audio
Audio	Built-in stereo speakers
Microphone	Yes
3.5mm Audio Jack	No
Camera	8MP autofocus
Connectivity
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0
Ports	Micro-USB
Wired Video	No
Wireless Video	No
WiFi	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0
Power	Internal battery
Battery Capacity	~470mAh
Battery Life	~2-3 hours
Charge Time	~2 hours
Device
Dimensions	Sunglasses form factor
Weight	90g
Material	Plastic frame
Headstrap	N/A (glasses temples)
Haptics	No
Color	Black
Sensors	Head motion, ambient light, proximity
Input	Touchpad, voice control, head gestures
Compliance	FCC, CE, ANSI Z87.1 (Safety version)

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The Vuzix Blade is an enterprise-focused augmented reality smart glasses device developed by Vuzix, announced at CES in January 2018 and released in January 2019 at a price of approximately $999. The Blade was one of the first self-contained AR smart glasses featuring Vuzix's proprietary waveguide optics, delivering a full-color see-through display in a form factor approaching regular sunglasses. Unlike full AR headsets that attempt world-anchored holographic content, the Blade focused on practical heads-up information display—notifications, navigation, camera viewfinder, and simple AR overlays—making it suitable for enterprise applications like remote assistance, inventory management, and hands-free information access. Weighing just 90 grams with an 8-megapixel camera, voice control, and all-day wearability, the Blade represented a step toward practical, everyday AR glasses.

History and Development

Vuzix Background

Company history:

• Founded 1997
• Pioneered head-mounted displays
• Enterprise focus
• Waveguide technology development

Smart Glasses Evolution

Product progression:

• M100/M300 series (monocular enterprise)
• Blade development (consumer-form factor)
• Waveguide optics advancement
• Sunglasses form target

CES 2018 Announcement

Initial reveal:

• Consumer AR glasses concept
• Waveguide display demonstrated
• Amazon Alexa integration
• 2018 availability promised

January 2019 Release

Consumer/prosumer launch:

• $999 price point
• Upgraded specifications
• Enterprise and consumer variants
• Global availability

Design Philosophy

Sunglasses Form Factor

Wearable design goal:

• Approaching regular glasses size
• All-day wearability target
• Socially acceptable
• Professional appearance

Heads-Up Display Focus

Practical information:

• Notifications display
• Navigation arrows
• Status information
• Camera viewfinder

Enterprise + Consumer

Dual market approach:

• Enterprise work assistance
• Consumer early adopter
• Developer platform
• Use case flexibility

Display Technology

Vuzix Waveguide

Proprietary display system:

• Resolution: 480 × 480
• Format: Full color
• Type: Waveguide optics
• Position: Right eye only

Field of View

Modest display area:

• 19° diagonal base
• 28° adjustable window
• Small but visible
• Appropriate for HUD use

Brightness

Excellent outdoor visibility:

• 700 nits (minimum setting)
• 4000+ nits (maximum)
• Sunlight readable
• Auto-adjusting

Monocular Design

Single-eye display:

• Right eye only
• Reduces complexity
• Power efficient
• Adequate for information display

Optical System

Waveguide Optics

Light guide technology:

• Projects image to eye
• See-through capability
• Full UV protection
• Sunglasses compatible

Safety Certification

Industrial compliance:

• ANSI Z87.1 certified (Safety version)
• Eye protection
• Industrial environments
• Professional use

Prescription Options

Vision correction:

• Prescription lens inserts available
• Glasses-free AR possible
• Enterprise deployment consideration

Processing

ARM-Based SoC

Mobile processor:

• CPU: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
• RAM: 1GB
• Storage: 8GB flash
• Adequate for HUD applications

Android OS

Software platform:

• Android-based system
• App compatibility
• Developer-friendly
• Regular updates

Performance

Sufficient for use case:

• Notification display smooth
• Camera functional
• Voice processing capable
• Basic AR experiences

Camera

8MP Autofocus

Integrated camera:

• 8 megapixel sensor
• Autofocus capability
• Photo and video capture
• First-person view

Use Cases

Camera applications:

• Document capture
• Remote assistance video
• Photo documentation
• QR/barcode scanning

Audio

Built-In Speakers

Integrated audio:

• Stereo speakers
• Clear audio playback
• Notification sounds
• Call audio

Microphone

Voice input:

• Voice commands
• Phone calls
• Voice recording
• Assistant interaction

Voice Control

Hands-free operation:

• Amazon Alexa integration
• Vuzix voice commands
• Custom wake words
• Natural interaction

Input Methods

Temple Touchpad

Touch control:

• Swipe gestures
• Tap selections
• Scroll navigation
• Intuitive interface

Voice Commands

Spoken interaction:

• Menu navigation
• App control
• Information queries
• Hands-free operation

Head Gestures

Motion input:

• Nod for confirmation
• Head shake for dismiss
• Simple interactions
• Accessible input

Connectivity

Wireless

Communication options:

• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
• Bluetooth 5.0
• Smartphone pairing
• Cloud connectivity

Standalone Operation

Independent function:

• No phone required
• Self-contained
• Optional phone companion
• Full functionality alone

Battery

Internal Battery

All-day challenge:

• ~470mAh capacity
• 2-3 hours active use
• 8+ hours standby
• Micro-USB charging

Power Management

Efficiency features:

• Display auto-dim
• Sleep mode
• Power-conscious design
• Quick charge support

Physical Design

Weight

Lightweight for AR:

• 90 grams (3.4 oz)
• Comparable to heavy sunglasses
• All-day wearable target
• Comfortable for hours

Form Factor

Sunglasses style:

• Similar to fashion eyewear
• Slightly bulkier temples
• Professional appearance
• Multiple lens options

Lens Options

Customization:

• Clear lenses
• Tinted lenses
• Polarized options
• Prescription available

Software Platform

Vuzix App Store

Content distribution:

• Enterprise apps
• Productivity tools
• AR experiences
• Developer submissions

Amazon Alexa

Voice assistant:

• Built-in integration
• Information queries
• Smart home control
• Hands-free assistant

Enterprise SDK

Development tools:

• Android development
• Vuzix SDK
• Enterprise integration
• Custom applications

Enterprise Applications

Remote Assistance

Expert support:

• Live video streaming
• Screen annotation
• Real-time guidance
• Field service

Inventory/Logistics

Warehouse operations:

• Pick-by-vision
• Barcode scanning
• Hands-free picking
• Efficiency gains

Manufacturing

Production support:

• Work instructions
• Quality control
• Assembly guidance
• Training

Healthcare

Medical applications:

• Patient information
• Procedure guidance
• Telemedicine
• Documentation

Blade 2 Evolution

Improvements

Second generation:

• Improved display
• Better camera
• Enhanced audio
• Longer battery

Safety Variant

Industrial version:

• Impact resistant
• ANSI Z87.1 certified
• Rugged construction
• Enterprise focused

Comparison with Competitors

Feature	Vuzix Blade	Google Glass EE2	Focals by North
Price	$999	$999	$599 (discontinued)
Display	480×480 waveguide	640×360 prism	Holographic retinal
FOV	19°	~15°	~15°
Camera	8MP	8MP	None
Eye	Right (monocular)	Right (monocular)	Right (monocular)
Weight	90g	46g	~70g

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

• Sunglasses form factor
• Waveguide display
• Standalone operation
• Enterprise applications
• Voice control
• All-day wearable

Limitations

• Small FOV (19°)
• Low resolution (480×480)
• Monocular only
• Limited AR capability
• Battery life
• Premium price

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification	Details
Display	Waveguide, 480 × 480 (right eye)
FOV	19° (28° adjustable)
Brightness	700-4000+ nits
Processor	Quad-core ARM A53
Memory	1GB RAM, 8GB storage
Camera	8MP autofocus
Audio	Stereo speakers, microphone
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
Battery	2-3 hours active
Weight	90g
Price	$999

See Also

• Vuzix
• Vuzix Blade 2
• AR Glasses
• Enterprise AR
• Waveguide Display
• Smart Glasses