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RealWear Navigator 500

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RealWear Navigator 500
Basic Info
VR/AR Assisted Reality
Type Head-Mounted Display
Subtype Enterprise AR
Platform Android 11 AOSP with WearHF
Developer RealWear
Manufacturer RealWear
Release Date 2021
Price ~$2,500 USD
Website https://www.realwear.com/devices/navigator-500
Predecessor RealWear HMT-1
Successor RealWear Navigator Z1
System
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 662
Storage
Storage 64 GB (expandable to 512 GB)
Memory 4 GB RAM
Display
Display 854x480 LCD
Image
Field of View 20°
Optics
Tracking
Audio
Audio Noise-canceling microphones (100 dBA)
Camera 48 MP (modular)
Connectivity
Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
Device
Weight 272g


The RealWear Navigator 500 is an industrial assisted reality head-mounted display developed by RealWear, released in 2021 as the successor to the RealWear HMT-1. Featuring a lighter 272g design (reduced from 380g), the Navigator 500 includes a groundbreaking 48 MP modular camera, Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor, noise-canceling microphones effective up to 100 dBA, and integrated fingerprint sensor for secure authentication. Maintaining IP66 ruggedness and 2-meter drop resistance, the Navigator 500 delivers enhanced performance for remote assistance, work instructions, and documentation in industrial environments.

History and Development

RealWear launched the Navigator 500 in 2021 as the next evolution of its industrial wearable platform, building on the success of the market-leading HMT-1. The Navigator 500 introduced significant improvements including a 30% weight reduction, industry-leading 48 MP camera, upgraded processor, and fingerprint sensor for rapid secure login. The device runs Android 11 AOSP with RealWear's WearHF hands-free interface, supporting enterprise deployment via RealWear Cloud fleet management.[1]

Design and Hardware

Display

Enhanced monocular display:

  • 854x480 resolution LCD
  • 20° field of view
  • Views like 7-inch screen at arm's length
  • Below line of sight
  • Non-obstructive positioning
  • Clear, vibrant visuals
  • Industrial dashboard design

Voice Control

Industry-leading noise cancellation:

  • 100 dBA noise cancellation (improved from 95 dBA)
  • Digital directional microphones
  • Offline voice recognition
  • Multiple languages supported
  • 100% hands-free operation
  • No internet required for voice

Processing

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (8-core, 2.0 GHz)
  • Adreno 610 GPU
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 64 GB internal storage
  • MicroSD expansion (up to 512 GB)
  • Android 11 AOSP + WearHF

Camera

  • 48 MP modular camera (industry-leading)
  • Low-light performance
  • 1080p video recording
  • Photo capture
  • Barcode scanning
  • Removable/upgradeable design

Security

  • Fingerprint sensor integrated
  • Power button + fingerprint combined
  • Rapid secure login
  • Enterprise authentication
  • Multi-user support

Ruggedness

Industrial-grade durability:

  • IP66 rated (dust-tight, water jets)
  • 2-meter drop resistance
  • Operating temperature: -20°C to +50°C
  • Challenging environment ready
  • Extreme heat tolerance (122°F / 50°C)

Battery

  • Hot-swappable design
  • Full shift use
  • No downtime for charging
  • Removable battery packs
  • Quick swap operation

Build

Lighter, refined design:

  • 272g weight (30% lighter than HMT-1)
  • Boom arm adjustment
  • Left or right eye use
  • Hard hat compatible
  • Safety helmet clips
  • Bump cap integration

Software Features

RealWear Cloud

  • Device fleet management
  • Remote configuration
  • Enterprise deployment
  • Analytics and reporting

Remote Assistance

  • Real-time expert connection
  • Video collaboration
  • See-what-I-see capability
  • Hands-free troubleshooting

Spatial Mapping

  • 3D data overlay
  • Visualization tools
  • Industrial applications

Technical Specifications

Specification Details
Display 854x480 LCD, 20° FOV
Processor Snapdragon 662 (8-core)
RAM/Storage 4 GB / 64 GB (+512 GB SD)
Camera 48 MP (modular)
Noise Tolerance 100 dBA
IP Rating IP66
Drop Resistance 2m
Weight 272g
Security Fingerprint sensor
Price ~$2,500

Reception

Praise:

  • 48 MP camera industry-leading
  • 272g 30% lighter than predecessor
  • 100 dBA noise cancellation improved
  • Fingerprint sensor convenient
  • Hot-swappable battery maintained
  • IP66 + 2m drop truly rugged
  • MicroSD expansion to 512 GB
  • Android 11 modern platform
  • RealWear Cloud management
  • Modular camera upgradeable

Criticism:

  • ~$2,500 enterprise pricing
  • 20° FOV still narrow
  • 854x480 resolution unchanged
  • No AR overlays on real world
  • Monocular display only
  • Boom arm design unchanged
  • Enterprise-only focus[2]

See Also

References