Nolo VR Glass
The NOLO VR Glass was a cancelled virtual reality head-mounted display developed by NOLO VR, a Chinese technology company specializing in VR motion tracking solutions. Unveiled at CES 2023, the device was designed as an ultra-lightweight VR headset resembling regular eyeglasses, powered by a connected Android smartphone.[1]
| Nolo VR Glass | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Virtual Reality |
| Type | Head-mounted display |
| Subtype | Phone-powered VR |
| Platform | Android |
| Creator | NOLO VR |
| Price | Discontinued |
| Website | https://nolovr.com |
| System | |
| Storage | |
| Display | |
| Display | 2 x Micro-display binocular |
| Resolution | 2280 x 2280 per eye |
| Image | |
| Optics | |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3DoF |
| Hand Tracking | Yes (via ring controllers) |
| Audio | |
| Connectivity | |
| Device | |
| Input | 3DoF finger-ring controllers, touch controls |
History and Development
Company Background
NOLO VR gained recognition in the VR industry for its positional tracking systems, which enabled mobile VR headsets to achieve room-scale VR experiences. The company's CV1 tracking system, launched via Kickstarter in 2017, offered an affordable solution for adding 6DoF tracking to smartphone-based VR headsets.[2]
CES 2023 Announcement
NOLO unveiled the VR Glass at CES 2023 in January, positioning it as a revolutionary lightweight VR headset. The company announced an expected availability date of February 2023.[3]
Cancellation
Despite the announced February 2023 launch date, the NOLO VR Glass never reached commercial release. The product was ultimately cancelled, though specific reasons for the cancellation were not publicly disclosed.
Design and Hardware
Form Factor
The NOLO VR Glass was designed to be worn like regular eyeglasses, emphasizing comfort and reduced weight. Unlike standalone or PC-tethered VR headsets, it contained no embedded battery, processing unit, or storage, with all computing handled by the connected smartphone.
Display Technology
The headset featured dual micro-displays with a resolution of 2280 x 2280 pixels per eye. The display technology was designed to eliminate the screen-door effect, with NOLO claiming visuals comparable to viewing a 1,000-inch 4K+ Ultra HD display.[4]
Key display specifications included:
- Pixel density: 1,512 PPI
- Refresh rate: 90 Hz
- Field of view: 92 degrees diagonal
Audio System
The VR Glass integrated speakers into the temples of the glasses frame. The audio system featured sound-phase elimination technology for enhanced privacy during use, along with binaural sound performance for spatial audio effects.
Optical Design
The headset supported an interpupillary distance (IPD) range of 58-72mm, accommodating a wide range of users with hardware-based adjustment.
Input and Controllers
Touch Controls
The headset incorporated intuitive touch controls on the temples, allowing users to interact with VR content without external controllers.
Finger-Ring Controllers
NOLO designed innovative 3DoF finger-ring controllers for the VR Glass. These compact controllers were designed to keep users' hands free while providing a seamless method of interacting with VR content. The system also supported hand tracking and gesture-based interaction.
Tracking
The NOLO VR Glass utilized 3DoF (degrees of freedom) head tracking, detecting rotational movement but not positional movement in space. This was a trade-off for the ultra-lightweight glasses-style form factor.
Software and Compatibility
Smartphone Compatibility
The VR Glass was designed to be compatible with mainstream Android mobile phones, using the smartphone's processing power to drive the VR experience.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual micro-displays |
| Resolution | 2280 x 2280 per eye |
| Refresh Rate | 90 Hz |
| Field of View | 92° diagonal |
| Pixel Density | 1,512 PPI |
| IPD Range | 58-72 mm |
| Tracking | 3DoF |
| Controllers | 3DoF finger-ring controllers |
| Audio | Integrated temple speakers |
| Power | Smartphone-powered |
See Also
References
- ↑ "NOLO Reveals New VR Glass During CES 2023". Bleeding Cool. January 2023. https://bleedingcool.com/games/nolo-reveals-new-vr-glass-during-ces-2023/.
- ↑ "NOLO VR Promises $99 Positional Tracking and SteamVR Gaming on Any Mobile VR Headset". Road to VR. 2017. https://www.roadtovr.com/nolo-mobile-vr-positional-tracking-system-compatible-steamvr-ces-2017/.
- ↑ "NOLO Unveils Two Game-changing VR Headset Models". Access Newswire. January 2023. https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/nolo-unveils-two-game-changing-vr-headset-models-hmd-that-wears-l-733810.
- ↑ "Nolo VR Glass Specs, Reviews & Prices". VRlitic. https://vrlitic.com/nolo-vr-glass/.