DAQRI Smart Helmet
The DAQRI Smart Helmet was an industrial augmented reality hard hat system developed by DAQRI, unveiled in 2016 and priced at $15,000, designed for enterprise applications in construction, manufacturing, oil & gas, and heavy industry. Representing one of the most ambitious enterprise AR products of its era, the Smart Helmet combined a fully ANSI-compliant hard hat and face shield with embedded AR computing, featuring a 6th-generation Intel Core m7 processor, Intel RealSense depth sensing, FLIR thermal imaging camera, 13MP HD camera, and a patented photonic display system with synchronized focal distances for comfortable viewing in industrial environments. The system enabled workers to view step-by-step work instructions, solid-to-scale 3D models overlaid on physical equipment, thermal imaging of machinery, and real-time video calls with remote experts—all hands-free and integrated into standard personal protective equipment. Key capabilities included 360-degree awareness via four HD cameras, visual-inertial navigation for spatial positioning, offline operation capability, and two USB 2.0 expansion ports for adding sensors like gas detectors or flashlights. Weighing 3.3 lbs with a cast aluminum and carbon fiber composite inner shell, the Smart Helmet targeted full-shift battery life with docking station charging. DAQRI went out of business in September 2019 after struggling to achieve sustainable sales volume at the enterprise price point, having shifted focus to the lighter-weight DAQRI Smart Glasses before shutdown.
| DAQRI Smart Helmet | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Helmet |
| Subtype | Enterprise AR, Industrial AR |
| Platform | Windows (Intel-based) |
| Creator | DAQRI |
| Developer | DAQRI |
| Manufacturer | DAQRI |
| Announcement Date | 2016 |
| Release Date | 2016 |
| Price | $15,000 |
| Website | N/A (company defunct) |
| Versions | DAQRI Smart Helmet |
| Requires | Enterprise deployment |
| Predecessor | DAQRI Smart Helmet prototype |
| Successor | DAQRI Smart Glasses (before shutdown) |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows |
| Chipset | Intel Core m7 (6th generation) |
| CPU | Intel Core m7 6th Gen |
| GPU | Intel integrated |
| Storage | |
| Storage | SSD storage |
| Memory | 8GB RAM (estimated) |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Photonic display AR HUD |
| Subpixel Layout | Full color |
| Peak Brightness | Industrial-grade |
| Resolution | HD display |
| Pixel Density | Industrial-optimized |
| Refresh Rate | Standard |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | Wide for industrial use |
| Horizontal FoV | Industrial coverage |
| Vertical FoV | Industrial coverage |
| Average Pixel Density | Moderate |
| Peak Pixel Density | Moderate |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Patented photonic lensing (synchronized focal distances) |
| Ocularity | Binocular (face shield) |
| IPD Range | Industrial standard |
| Adjustable Diopter | No |
| Passthrough | Yes (optical see-through face shield) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (visual-inertial navigation) |
| Tracking Frequency | High-speed |
| Base Stations | None required |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | Real-time |
| Tracking Volume | Industrial environment |
| Play Space | Work environment |
| Latency | Low latency |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Four-microphone array, audio output jack |
| Microphone | Yes (4-mic array) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | 13MP HD camera + Intel RealSense + FLIR thermal |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | WiFi, USB 2.0 expansion ports |
| Ports | 2× USB 2.0, docking/charging station |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | Optional (can work offline) |
| Bluetooth | Optional |
| Power | Rechargeable battery |
| Battery Capacity | Full shift duration |
| Battery Life | Full work shift |
| Charge Time | Via docking station |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Hard hat form factor |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
| Material | Injection-molded plastic (outer), cast aluminum + carbon fiber composite (inner) |
| Headstrap | Integrated hard hat suspension |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Industrial (white/yellow typical) |
| Sensors | IMU (industrial + commercial grade), depth sensors, FLIR thermal |
| Input | Voice commands, gesture recognition, video calls |
| Compliance | ANSI hard hat compliant, ANSI face shield compliant |
History and Development
DAQRI Origins
Company background:
- Founded 2010, Los Angeles
- AR technology pioneer
- Industrial AR focus
- Enterprise vision
Smart Helmet Development
Product evolution:
- Multiple prototypes
- Intel partnership
- Enterprise validation
- 2016 release
2016 Launch
Commercial release:
- $15,000 price point
- Enterprise sales
- Industrial deployments
- Global availability
Company Decline
Business challenges:
- High price barrier
- Limited sales volume
- Funding challenges
- Pivot to Smart Glasses
September 2019 Shutdown
Company end:
- DAQRI ceased operations
- Asset sales
- Team dispersal
- Legacy end
Design Philosophy
PPE Integration
Safety first:
- ANSI hard hat compliant
- ANSI face shield compliant
- Regulatory adherence
- Worker protection
Industrial-Grade
Enterprise durability:
- Rugged construction
- Full-shift battery
- Harsh environment
- Reliable operation
Hands-Free Computing
Operational concept:
- Voice control
- Visual instructions
- No handheld devices
- Worker efficiency
4D Sensing
Spatial awareness:
- 360° camera coverage
- Depth sensing
- Thermal imaging
- Environmental mapping
Processing
Intel Core m7
Processor specifications:
- Generation: 6th Gen Intel Core m7
- Performance: Desktop-class
- Architecture: x86
- Windows compatible
Earlier Variants
Previous hardware:
- Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon
- Earlier prototypes
- Intel upgrade
- Performance improvement
Memory
System resources:
- Estimated 8GB RAM
- SSD storage
- Enterprise capacity
- Application support
Display Technology
Photonic Display
AR visualization:
- Patented lensing technology
- Synchronized focal distances
- Physical/digital alignment
- Industrial-tuned display
Face Shield Integration
Display location:
- Built into face shield
- Optical see-through
- Wide viewing area
- Safety compliant
4D Display
Capabilities:
- Step-by-step instructions
- 3D model overlay
- Thermal imaging display
- Real-time data
Camera System
13MP HD Camera
Primary camera:
- Resolution: 13 megapixels
- HD video capture
- Photo documentation
- 2D target recognition
Intel RealSense
Depth sensing:
- Two infrared cameras
- Depth mapping
- Object recognition
- Spatial understanding
FLIR Thermal
Thermal imaging:
- Infrared thermal camera
- Heat visualization
- Equipment monitoring
- Safety detection
360° Awareness
Surround vision:
- Four HD cameras
- Full environment coverage
- Situational awareness
- Safety enhancement
Tracking
Spatial tracking:
- 6DoF positioning
- No external markers
- Self-localization
- Environment mapping
Dual IMU System
Motion sensing:
- Industrial-grade IMU
- Commercial-grade IMU backup
- Position calculation
- Stable tracking
Audio System
Four-Microphone Array
Voice input:
- Microphones: 4
- Voice commands
- Communication
- Noise handling
Audio Output
Sound delivery:
- 3.5mm audio jack
- Headphone support
- Alert sounds
- Communication audio
Integrated Controls
Interface:
- Power button
- Volume controls
- Physical interface
- Quick access
Physical Design
Weight
Form factor:
- Weight: 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
- Full-featured AR
- PPE integration
- Balanced design
Construction
Materials:
- Outer shell: Injection-molded plastic
- Inner shell: Cast aluminum + carbon fiber composite
- Rugged durability
- Industrial-grade
ANSI Compliance
Safety standards:
- Hard hat certified
- Face shield certified
- Workplace safety
- Regulatory compliance
Connectivity
USB Expansion
Ports:
- USB 2.0: 2 ports
- Sensor addition
- Accessory support
- Gas detectors, flashlights
Network Options
Communication:
- WiFi available
- Can work offline
- Bluetooth optional
- Flexible connectivity
Video Calls
Remote support:
- Real-time video
- Expert assistance
- Live guidance
- See-what-I-see
Power
Battery Life
Power specifications:
- Full work shift capability
- Industrial endurance
- All-day operation
- Practical duration
Docking Station
Charging system:
- Stowage station
- Charging
- Data transfer
- Overnight refresh
Enterprise Applications
Construction
Building industry:
- Blueprint overlay
- Progress tracking
- Safety checks
- Quality control
Manufacturing
Production:
- Assembly instructions
- Quality inspection
- Training
- Maintenance
Oil & Gas
Energy sector:
- Equipment inspection
- Thermal monitoring
- Safety procedures
- Remote expert support
Utilities
Infrastructure:
- Field service
- Equipment identification
- Work orders
- Documentation
Key Capabilities
Work Instructions
Guided procedures:
- Step-by-step guidance
- Visual instructions
- Hands-free viewing
- Error reduction
3D Model Overlay
Visualization:
- Solid-to-scale models
- Physical alignment
- Design review
- Spatial understanding
Thermal Imaging
Heat detection:
- Equipment temperature
- Hotspot identification
- Predictive maintenance
- Safety monitoring
Remote Expert
Support capability:
- Video calling
- Live annotation
- Expert guidance
- Knowledge transfer
Comparison with Enterprise AR
| Feature | DAQRI Smart Helmet | HoloLens 2 | RealWear HMT-1 | Google Glass EE2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Hard hat helmet | Headband | Head-mounted | Glasses |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs | 566g | 380g | 51g |
| Processor | Intel Core m7 | Holographic | Snapdragon 625 | Snapdragon XR1 |
| Thermal Camera | Yes (FLIR) | No | Optional | No |
| Safety Rating | ANSI hard hat | No | ANSI Z87.1 | No |
| Price | $15,000 | $3,500 | $2,500 | $999 |
| 6DoF Tracking | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Status | Defunct (2019) | Active | Active | Discontinued |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Full ANSI hard hat + face shield compliance
- Intel Core m7 desktop-class processor
- Intel RealSense depth sensing
- FLIR thermal imaging camera
- 13MP HD camera + 360° awareness
- 6DoF visual-inertial navigation
- USB expansion ports (sensors/accessories)
- Offline operation capability
- Full-shift battery life
- Hands-free voice control
Limitations
- $15,000 enterprise price point
- 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) heavy weight
- Company defunct (September 2019)
- Limited market adoption
- Complex deployment
- Specialized use cases only
- Competition from lighter devices
- ROI challenges for customers
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Industrial AR hard hat |
| Processor | Intel Core m7 (6th Gen) |
| Display | Photonic AR HUD (face shield) |
| Cameras | 13MP HD + RealSense + FLIR thermal + 4× HD |
| Tracking | 6DoF visual-inertial navigation |
| Audio | 4-microphone array, 3.5mm output |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs (1.5 kg) |
| Expansion | 2× USB 2.0 |
| Compliance | ANSI hard hat, ANSI face shield |
| Price | $15,000 |
| Status | Defunct (September 2019) |