RealWear Navigator 500
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| RealWear Navigator 500 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | Smart Glasses |
| Subtype | Enterprise AR |
| Platform | Android 11 |
| Creator | RealWear |
| Developer | RealWear |
| Manufacturer | RealWear |
| Announcement Date | December 8, 2021 |
| Release Date | 2022 |
| Price | ~$2,500 |
| Website | https://www.realwear.com/ |
| Versions | RealWear Navigator 500 |
| Requires | None (standalone) |
| Predecessor | RealWear HMT-1 |
| Successor | RealWear Navigator 520 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Android 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (octa-core) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Memory | 4GB RAM |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | LCD (monocular) |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified |
| Resolution | 854 × 480 |
| Pixel Density | N/A |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Persistence | N/A |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 20° |
| Horizontal FoV | ~20° |
| Vertical FoV | ~11° |
| Average Pixel Density | N/A |
| Peak Pixel Density | N/A |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Waveguide/prism |
| Ocularity | Monocular (adjustable left/right) |
| IPD Range | N/A (monocular) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (compatible with corrective eyewear) |
| Passthrough | Native see-through (display only) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 3DoF (IMU) |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | None |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | No |
| Update Rate | 60Hz |
| Tracking Volume | N/A |
| Play Space | Assisted reality |
| Latency | <100ms |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Dual speakers (above ear) |
| Microphone | Yes (4 noise-canceling microphones) |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | Yes |
| Camera | 48MP camera with autofocus (1080p @ 60fps video) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C |
| Ports | USB-C, 3.5mm audio |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | Yes (streaming) |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac dual-band) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Power | Internal battery |
| Battery Capacity | Not specified |
| Battery Life | ~8 hours |
| Charge Time | ~2 hours |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Modular design |
| Weight | 272g |
| Material | Ruggedized plastic |
| Headstrap | Head-mounted band / hardhat compatible |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, ambient light, barometer |
| Input | Voice commands (100% hands-free), head motion |
| Compliance | IP66, MIL-STD-810H, ATEX Zone 2 (Navigator 520) |
The RealWear Navigator 500 is a rugged head-mounted wearable computer and smart glasses device developed by RealWear, announced on December 8, 2021, and released in 2022 at a price of approximately $2,500. As the successor to the popular HMT-1, the Navigator 500 delivers significant improvements while maintaining RealWear's industry-leading voice control and rugged design philosophy: 28% lighter weight (272g vs 380g), upgraded Snapdragon 662 processor, 48MP camera with 1080p @ 60fps video (vs 16MP), and the same proven 100% hands-free voice operation that works in environments up to 100dB noise levels. The Navigator 500 retains the HMT-1's monocular 854 × 480 display with 20° field of view but adds improved battery efficiency, faster charging, and enhanced connectivity. Designed for industrial "deskless workers" in manufacturing, field service, energy, and other frontline environments, the Navigator 500 continues RealWear's "assisted reality" approach—providing glanceable information without obstructing the worker's view.
History and Development
RealWear Evolution
Product line history:
- HMT-1 (2017) - Original platform
- HMT-1Z1 (intrinsically safe)
- Navigator 500 (2021/2022)
- Navigator 520 (2023)
Market Feedback
Customer-driven improvements:
- Weight reduction demand
- Better camera needed
- Faster processing
- Modern connectivity
December 2021 Announcement
Navigator 500 reveal:
- 28% lighter than HMT-1
- 48MP camera upgrade
- Snapdragon 662 processor
- 2022 availability
Platform Continuity
Software compatibility:
- Android 11
- Existing apps compatible
- Partner ecosystem
- Smooth transition
Design Philosophy
Assisted Reality
Information overlay:
- Not AR with spatial mapping
- Glanceable information
- Document display
- Video collaboration
100% Hands-Free
Voice-first design:
- Complete voice control
- No hand gestures needed
- Industrial practical
- Safety compliant
Lighter, Better
Improved HMT-1:
- 272g (vs 380g)
- 28% weight reduction
- Same durability
- Enhanced comfort
Full-Shift Battery
Work day operation:
- ~8 hours battery life
- Complete shift coverage
- Hot-swap capable
- Continuous operation
Display Technology
Monocular LCD
Information display:
- Resolution: 854 × 480
- Type: 24-bit LCD color
- Equivalent: 7" tablet at arm's length
- Same as HMT-1
Field of View
Information window:
- 20° field of view
- Data display focused
- Not immersive
- Glanceable information
Display Pod
Adjustable positioning:
- Rotatable mount
- Left or right eye
- Adjustable angle
- User-configurable
Processing
Snapdragon 662
Upgraded processor:
- Platform: Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
- Cores: Octa-core
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
Performance Improvement
vs HMT-1:
- Faster processor
- More storage (64GB vs 32GB)
- Better efficiency
- Modern platform
Camera
48MP Camera
Major upgrade:
- Resolution: 48 megapixels
- Video: 1080p @ 60fps
- Autofocus: Yes
- Improvement: 3× vs HMT-1 (16MP)
Camera Applications
Use cases:
- Remote expert assistance
- Documentation capture
- Barcode scanning
- Visual inspection
Video Quality
1080p @ 60fps:
- Smooth video
- High quality streaming
- Professional grade
- Expert collaboration
Voice Control
Industry-Leading Voice
Best-in-class:
- 100% voice controlled
- No touch needed
- Natural language
- Reliable recognition
Noise Cancellation
Industrial environment:
- 4 noise-canceling microphones
- Works up to 100dB
- Factory floor capable
- Loud environment tested
Voice Commands
Navigation method:
- Menu navigation
- Application control
- Document scrolling
- Complete functionality
Language Support
International use:
- 15+ languages supported
- English, German, French
- Japanese, Chinese, Korean
- And more
Audio
Dual Speakers
Improved audio:
- Two speakers
- Positioned above ears
- Clear in noisy environments
- Communication capable
3.5mm Jack
Headphone option:
- Private listening
- Hearing protection compatible
- Alternative audio
- User choice
Sensors
Motion Sensors
Orientation detection:
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Magnetometer
- 3DoF tracking
Environmental Sensors
Additional sensing:
- Ambient light sensor
- Barometer
- Location awareness
- Environmental data
Battery
Long-Duration Battery
Full-shift operation:
- Life: ~8 hours active
- Charging: ~2 hours
- Hot-swap capable
- Same as HMT-1
Battery Improvement
Efficiency gains:
- More efficient processor
- Same battery life
- Faster charging
- Improved power management
Physical Design
Lightweight Construction
Major improvement:
- Weight: 272g
- 28% lighter than HMT-1 (380g)
- Extended comfort
- Same durability
Rugged Construction
Industrial grade:
- IP66 water/dust resistant
- MIL-STD-810H certified
- Drop tested
- Extreme temperature operation
Mounting Options
Flexible wear:
- Head-mounted band
- Hardhat attachment
- Bump cap mount
- Safety glasses compatible
Display Boom
Adjustable arm:
- Rotatable display pod
- Left or right eye
- Position adjustable
- User preference
Software
Android 11
Operating system:
- Modern Android
- Enterprise customization
- App ecosystem
- Regular updates
RealWear Cloud
Management platform:
- Device management
- Remote configuration
- Fleet deployment
- Enterprise control
Partner Applications
Software ecosystem:
- Microsoft Teams
- Zoom
- Cisco WebEx
- Custom enterprise apps
Enterprise Applications
Remote Expert
Video collaboration:
- "See what I see"
- Real-time guidance
- Expert consultation
- Problem resolution
Manufacturing
Production support:
- Assembly guidance
- Quality inspection
- Training support
- Process documentation
Field Service
Technician support:
- Repair guidance
- Procedure documentation
- Hands-free reference
- Remote assistance
Energy
Oil and gas:
- Inspection support
- Safety compliance
- Remote expert access
- Hazardous environment capable
Comparison with HMT-1
| Feature | Navigator 500 | HMT-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$2,500 | ~$2,500 |
| Weight | 272g | 380g |
| Processor | Snapdragon 662 | Snapdragon 626 |
| Camera | 48MP (1080p@60fps) | 16MP (1080p@30fps) |
| Storage | 64GB | 32GB |
| Android | Android 11 | Android 8.1 |
| Display | 854×480 | 854×480 |
| FOV | 20° | 20° |
| Battery Life | ~8 hours | ~8 hours |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- 28% lighter than HMT-1 (272g)
- Industry-leading voice control
- 48MP camera (3× HMT-1)
- 1080p @ 60fps video
- ~8 hours battery life
- IP66/MIL-STD-810H rugged
- 100dB noise environment capable
Limitations
- Same display resolution as HMT-1
- Same FOV (20°)
- Not true AR (assisted reality)
- Monocular only
- High price point
- Enterprise-only
- 3DoF tracking only
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | LCD, 854 × 480 |
| FOV | 20° |
| Processor | Snapdragon 662 (octa-core) |
| Memory | 4GB RAM, 64GB storage |
| Camera | 48MP, 1080p@60fps video |
| Audio | 4 noise-canceling mics, dual speakers |
| Battery | ~8 hours |
| Durability | IP66, MIL-STD-810H |
| Voice Control | 100% hands-free, 100dB tolerance |
| Weight | 272g |
| Price | ~$2,500 |