Epson Moverio BT-40
| Epson Moverio BT-40 | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | Smart Glasses |
| Subtype | Consumer AR, Enterprise AR |
| Platform | Host device dependent (USB-C) |
| Creator | Epson |
| Developer | Epson |
| Manufacturer | Epson |
| Announcement Date | March 2, 2021 |
| Release Date | March 2021 |
| Price | $579 (BT-40), $999 (BT-40S with controller) |
| Website | https://www.epson.com/ |
| Versions | Moverio BT-40, Moverio BT-40S |
| Requires | USB-C compatible device (phone, PC, etc.) |
| Predecessor | Epson Moverio BT-300 |
| Successor | None announced |
| System | |
| Operating System | Host device dependent |
| Chipset | N/A (display glasses) |
| CPU | N/A (host device) |
| GPU | N/A (host device) |
| Storage | |
| Storage | N/A (host device) |
| Memory | N/A (host device) |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Dual Si-OLED (Gen 4) |
| Subpixel Layout | RGB stripe |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 per eye (Full HD) |
| Pixel Density | N/A |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 34° |
| Horizontal FoV | ~34° |
| Vertical FoV | ~19° |
| Average Pixel Density | N/A |
| Peak Pixel Density | N/A |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Proprietary projection optics |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Not specified |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (prescription lens inserts available) |
| Passthrough | Native see-through (transparent display) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (IMU + camera based, BT-40S only) |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | None |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes (9-axis IMU) |
| Positional Tracking | Yes (BT-40S with controller) |
| Update Rate | 60Hz |
| Tracking Volume | N/A |
| Play Space | Mobile AR |
| Latency | <50ms |
| Audio | |
| Audio | No (headphones required) |
| Microphone | No |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No |
| Camera | 5MP camera (BT-40S controller) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode) |
| Ports | USB-C |
| Wired Video | Yes (USB-C DP Alt) |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | No (in glasses) |
| Bluetooth | No (in glasses) |
| Power | Powered by host device (USB-C) |
| Battery Capacity | N/A (BT-40), controller has battery (BT-40S) |
| Battery Life | N/A (host powered) |
| Charge Time | N/A |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Glasses: ~191mm × 178mm × 25mm |
| Weight | ~95g (glasses), ~185g (controller) |
| Material | Plastic, polycarbonate |
| Headstrap | None (glasses temples) |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | 9-axis motion sensor (accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer), ambient light sensor |
| Input | Host device controls, controller (BT-40S) |
| Compliance | FCC, CE |
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The Epson Moverio BT-40 is a pair of see-through smart glasses developed by Epson, announced on March 2, 2021, and released in March 2021 at a price of $579 ($999 for the BT-40S variant with intelligent controller). Representing Epson's fourth generation of Moverio smart glasses, the BT-40 delivers a significant upgrade over the BT-300 series with full HD 1080p resolution per eye using Gen 4 Si-OLED technology—a 225% field of view increase from the previous generation's 23° to an impressive 34°, equivalent to viewing a 120-inch screen from 15 feet. Designed as a lightweight display solution that connects via USB-C to compatible smartphones, tablets, and computers, the BT-40 targets applications ranging from personal entertainment and drone piloting to enterprise documentation and training. The BT-40S variant adds an intelligent controller with built-in camera, GPS, and processing capabilities for standalone AR applications.
History and Development
Moverio Heritage
Product line evolution:
- BT-100 (2011) - First generation
- BT-200 (2014) - Consumer focused
- BT-300 (2016) - Lighter design
- BT-40 (2021) - HD resolution
Si-OLED Technology
Display innovation:
- Epson proprietary technology
- Silicon OLED microdisplays
- High contrast
- Compact size
March 2021 Announcement
Product reveal:
- Full HD resolution
- 34° field of view
- USB-C connectivity
- Consumer and enterprise
Market Positioning
Target applications:
- Personal entertainment
- Drone FPV viewing
- Enterprise training
- Professional applications
Design Philosophy
Display-Only Simplicity
Focused approach:
- High-quality display glasses
- Host device dependency
- Lightweight design
- Simple operation
USB-C Universal
Wide compatibility:
- Single cable connection
- Power from host
- DisplayPort Alt Mode
- Cross-platform
Enterprise Ready
Professional use:
- Documentation viewing
- Training applications
- Field service
- Drone operations
Display Technology
Gen 4 Si-OLED
Advanced display:
- Resolution: 1920 × 1080 per eye
- Type: Silicon OLED
- Size: 0.45-inch panels
- Contrast: 500,000:1
Full HD Per Eye
High resolution:
- 1080p each eye
- Binocular 3D capable
- Sharp text
- Detailed images
Virtual Screen Size
Immersive viewing:
- Equivalent to 120" screen
- 15 feet viewing distance
- Private viewing
- Large virtual display
Si-OLED Advantages
Technology benefits:
- High contrast ratio
- Deep blacks
- Vivid colors
- Power efficient
Field of View
34° Diagonal FOV
Significant improvement:
- 225% larger than BT-300
- Previous: 23°
- Current: 34°
- Major advancement
Virtual Display
Practical viewing:
- Focused content area
- Document viewing
- Video watching
- Information display
Optical System
See-Through Design
Transparent display:
- Real-world visible
- AR capability
- Environmental awareness
- Safety maintained
Optical Quality
Clear imaging:
- Minimal distortion
- Good color
- Transparent overlay
- Professional grade
Connectivity
USB-C DisplayPort
Universal connection:
- Single cable operation
- Power delivery
- Video input
- Wide compatibility
Device Compatibility
Supported hosts:
- Android smartphones (DP Alt)
- Windows PCs
- Mac computers
- USB-C tablets
Simple Operation
Easy use:
- Plug and display
- No additional setup
- Mirror or extend
- Immediate use
Physical Design
Lightweight Construction
Portable design:
- Weight: ~95g (glasses only)
- Comfortable wear
- Extended use capable
- Portable
Glasses Form Factor
Wearable design:
- Temple-mounted
- Over-ear fit
- Adjustable nose pad
- Glasses compatible
Build Quality
Durable construction:
- Quality plastics
- Polycarbonate lenses
- Professional finish
- Reliable design
Sensors
9-Axis Motion Sensor
Orientation detection:
- Accelerometer
- Gyroscope
- Magnetometer
- Head tracking capable
Ambient Light Sensor
Automatic adjustment:
- Environment sensing
- Display optimization
- Comfort enhancement
- Power management
BT-40S Variant
Intelligent Controller
Enhanced functionality:
- Separate processing unit
- Android-based
- Standalone capabilities
- Additional sensors
Controller Specifications
Smart controller:
- Weight: ~185g
- Camera: 5MP
- GPS: Integrated
- Battery: Built-in
6DoF Capability
Advanced tracking:
- Camera-based tracking
- Position awareness
- AR applications
- Enhanced functionality
Standalone Operation
Independent use:
- Android applications
- AR content
- No phone required
- Complete solution
Use Cases
Personal Entertainment
Consumer use:
- Private movie viewing
- Gaming display
- Travel entertainment
- Personal screen
Drone Operations
FPV applications:
- First-person view
- Flight monitoring
- Hands-free operation
- Aerial photography
Enterprise Training
Professional applications:
- Procedure guidance
- Documentation access
- Hands-free reference
- Field service
Medical Applications
Healthcare use:
- Patient information
- Procedure guidance
- Training support
- Documentation
Audio
No Built-In Audio
Headphones required:
- 3.5mm from host device
- Bluetooth headphones
- External audio
- User choice
Comparison with BT-300
| Feature | Moverio BT-40 | Moverio BT-300 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $579 | $699 (at launch) |
| Resolution | 1920×1080/eye | 1280×720/eye |
| FOV | 34° | 23° |
| Weight | ~95g | ~69g |
| Connection | USB-C | HDMI/USB |
| Display Tech | Gen 4 Si-OLED | Si-OLED |
| Controller | Optional (BT-40S) | Included |
Comparison with Competitors
| Feature | Epson BT-40 | Nreal Air | Rokid Air |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $579 | $379 | $449 |
| Resolution | 1920×1080 | 1920×1080 | 1920×1080 |
| Display Type | Si-OLED | Micro-OLED | Micro-OLED |
| FOV | 34° | 46° | 43° |
| Weight | ~95g | 79g | 83g |
| See-Through | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Full HD 1080p per eye
- 500,000:1 contrast (Si-OLED)
- 34° FOV (225% improvement)
- Lightweight (~95g)
- USB-C universal connectivity
- See-through design
- Enterprise-ready
Limitations
- Narrower FOV than competitors
- No built-in audio
- No integrated tracking (BT-40)
- Higher price than consumer alternatives
- Requires USB-C DP Alt Mode
- Limited standalone capability
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Dual Si-OLED, 1920 × 1080 per eye |
| Contrast | 500,000:1 |
| FOV | 34° |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Connection | USB-C (DP Alt Mode) |
| Sensors | 9-axis motion, ambient light |
| Weight | ~95g (glasses) |
| Price | $579 (BT-40), $999 (BT-40S) |