Kopin Golden-I
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| Kopin Golden-I | |
|---|---|
| |
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | Smart Glasses |
| Subtype | Enterprise AR, Wearable Computer |
| Platform | Windows Embedded CE (early designs)[1] |
| Creator | Kopin Corporation[2] |
| Developer | Kopin Corporation, Motorola Solutions[3] |
| Manufacturer | Kopin Corporation[4] |
| Announcement Date | 2009 (concept)[4] |
| Release Date | 24 March 2011 (3.5 kit availability announcement)[5] |
| Price | US$2,500 plus tax and shipping (3.5 kit)[5] |
| Website | https://www.kopin.com/ |
| Versions | Gen 2, Gen 3.5, Gen 3.8/3.8D; later Infinity[6][7] |
| Requires | Wireless hosts for remote information[8] |
| Successor | Kopin Golden-I Infinity[9] |
| System | |
| Operating System | Windows CE 6.0 r3 (3.5)[10] |
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM, 433 MHz DSP (3.5)[10] |
| GPU | 3D accelerator (DM3730 design)[1] |
| Storage | |
| Memory | 256Mb (3.5)[10] |
| SD Card Slot | microSD[1] |
| Display | |
| Display | Transmissive LCD (3.5)[10] |
| Resolution | 800 × 600 (3.5)[10] |
| Optics | |
| Ocularity | Monocular; either eye[8] |
| Adjustable Diopter | Focus wheel (3.5)[10] |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | Six-axis (2011); nine-axis (3.8D)[8][7] |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Near-ear speaker[8] |
| Microphone | Two in optic pod (3.5)[10] |
| Camera | 14 MP (3.8D)[7] |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB[8] |
| WiFi | 802.11b/g (3.5)[10] |
| Bluetooth | 2.1 EDR (3.5)[10] |
| Power | Li-ion polymer, 3.7 V, 1100 mAh (3.5)[10] |
| Battery Life | 1-4 hours (3.5, use-dependent)[10] |
| Charge Time | 3 hours typical (3.5)[10] |
| Device | |
| Weight | Three to six ounces (2011 overview)[8] |
| Headstrap | Spring-loaded headband (3.8D)[7] |
| Sensors | GPS, digital compass (2011 overview)[8] |
| Input | Voice commands and head gestures[8] |
| Compliance | FCC certification announced for Gen 3.5[5] |
The Kopin Golden-I (branded Golden-i) is a family of head-mounted computers and a technology platform developed by Kopin Corporation. Its early designs combined a near-eye display with voice commands and head gestures for access to remote computers and information. Kopin's business model included licensing the technology and supplying displays to partners that made end-user products.[2]
The Golden-i concept was publicly demonstrated in May 2009.[4] The Gen 3.5 developer kit, Motorola HC1 and Gen 3.8 reference design represent different hardware and deployment stages. HC1 was the rugged industrial derivative; the 3.8 reference design was unveiled at CES 2013 for lighter industrial and professional applications.[3]
History and development
Kopin was incorporated in Delaware in 1984 and had its headquarters in Massachusetts. Its display and semiconductor business supplied the background for Golden-i; the company began selling Golden-i developer kits in 2011, initially to encourage application development and interest from its licensee's potential customers.[2]
Kopin demonstrated Gen 2 concept units in September 2009. The announcement described Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R2, an OMAP3530 processor, Nuance VoCon3200 speech recognition and Vocalizer text-to-speech, and Hillcrest Labs FreeSpace six-axis gesture sensing. It described a 0.44-inch full-color SVGA LCD and preliminary runtime above eight hours from a 1200 mAh lithium-ion battery. The same announcement planned Gen 3 evaluation SDK units for December 2009 field trials and certified production products in 2010; those were projected milestones.[6]
On 24 March 2011, Kopin announced that FCC-certified Gen 3.5 development kits were available to qualified customers. The kit included Windows 7 emulation, WinCE 6 software porting tools, Nuance VoCon3200 in more than 20 languages, Adeneo development support, documentation, a second battery and charger. Kopin separately anticipated all-weather production headsets in 2012.[5]
Motorola launched the rugged HC1, based on Golden-i 3.5, in October 2012. Kopin unveiled the smaller Gen 3.8 reference design at Verizon's CES booth in January 2013.[3]
Design philosophy
Golden-i was intended to make technical diagrams, video and remote collaboration available while the operator used both hands. Kopin described voice and head gestures as the interface to information reached through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other wireless networks, with an optical pod for viewing diagrams and communication.[2]
The Gen 3.5 manual expressly limits the kit to indoor development and demonstrations. It excludes industrial or hazardous environments, moisture, dust, shock and vibration.[10]
Display technology
Kopin's 2011 overview describes a monocular display placed below either eye, compatible with ordinary glasses, safety glasses and a hard hat or helmet. Its advertised image-size comparison was a 15-inch screen viewed at 18 inches. [8]
Processing power
The 2011 overview lists a 600 MHz ARM and 400 MHz DSP configuration.[8]
TI's 2011 case study documents a Golden-i design using the DM3730 DaVinci processor, with a 1 GHz ARM core and 600 MHz DSP. TI associated it with concurrent applications, video processing, a 3D graphics accelerator and OpenGL support. Its document describes Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3, mini-USB, removable storage up to 32 GB and text-to-voice/voice-to-text in 26 languages. It does not identify this configuration as Gen 3.8.[1]
Engadget's January 2012 demonstration report listed 512MB RAM and a 1GHz OMAP3; it described 1.2GHz OMAP4 as prospective.[11]
Mistral's engineering account describes work on an OMAP3530 headset platform, including stacked DDR/NAND memory, a CyberDisplay interface, wireless interfaces and head-tracker connectivity. The supplier ported Windows Embedded Compact and peripheral drivers, integrated hardware accelerators, and developed engineering and production diagnostics. Its account identifies dense board routing, nearby radio and digital components, heat dissipation and power consumption as design problems. These details describe the hardware integration work rather than a measured performance comparison between Golden-i generations.[12]
Camera system
Kopin's January 2013 announcement described a low-light, inertially stabilized camera for live video and an accessory infrared camera for thermal and night viewing. The announcement did not give a megapixel count.[3]
The later Golden-i 3.8D manufacturer page explicitly lists a 14 MP camera, a 15-inch-equivalent display, nine-axis motion sensing, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Kopin still called 3.8D a reference design for industrial applications. Its design used plastic stabilizers and a spring-loaded headband with pads above the ears.[7]
The 2011 overview offered a detachable camera for stills and 1080 HD video; this was an accessory.[8]
Sensors and voice control
The September 2009 announcement describes the six-axis Hillcrest sensor as supporting gesture control, virtual screen placement and panning around magnified documents. It also describes adaptive noise cancellation and a speaker-learning addition to Nuance speech recognition.[6] The later 3.8D page specifies nine-axis motion sensing.[7]
The 3.5 optic pod contained two microphones.[10]
Physical design
In its January 2013 investor call, Kopin described Gen 3.8 as approximately half the size and weight of its previous 3.5 reference design and foldable for a pocket. It also claimed 16 times the processing power, without a benchmark method. These relative claims do not establish a universal headset mass or processor clock.[13]
Connectivity and software
TI described the headset as a hub for remote PCs and other devices, with access to applications and files over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular services. Its case study also identifies development support for Windows Embedded and processor compatibility as a way to build different products around related hardware.[1]
Battery
The early concept's advertised eight-hour figure belongs to the September 2009 announcement.[6]
Gen 3.5 specifications estimate 3-4 hours with radios off and power management enabled.[10]
Technical specifications summary
Specifications differ across the documented Golden-i configurations.
| Specification | Details and documented configuration |
|---|---|
| Display | 3.5: 0.44-inch transmissive LCD, SVGA 800 × 600[10] |
| Equivalent | 2011 overview: 15-inch screen at 18 inches[8] |
| Processor | 3.5: OMAP3530, 600 MHz ARM + 433 MHz DSP[10] |
| Memory | Gen 3.5 manual: "256Mb" (as printed)[10] |
| Camera | 3.8D: 14 MP; Gen 3.8 announcement: optional infrared accessory[7][3] |
| Sensors | 2011 overview: six-axis tracker, GPS and compass; 3.8D: nine-axis[8][7] |
| Voice | Gen 3.5 kit offer: Nuance VoCon3200, more than 20 languages[5] |
| Battery | 3.5: 1100 mAh, 3.7 V lithium-ion polymer; use-dependent runtime above[10] |
| Weight | 2011 overview: three to six ounces (configuration not numbered)[8] |
| OS | 3.5: Windows CE 6.0 r3[10] |
| Price | Gen 3.5 kit: US$2,500, plus tax and shipping[5] |
Enterprise applications
Kopin's 2011 overview proposed manufacturing, logistics, field, medical, military and public-safety uses, including drawings, inventory information and colleague consultation.[8]
HAZHAT training prototype
A 2012 Texas A&M engineering project built a Golden-i application for TEEX hazardous-materials training. It displayed and read instructions from a chlorine rail-car leak manual, with spoken commands for advancing, repeating and returning through instructions. Testing used stored documents and included a novice trainee wearing protective equipment. The authors reported restricted space inside the face mask, voice changes caused by the oxygen mask, and display-reading difficulties that prompted a more graphical interface. They characterized testing as mainly functional; the paper gives no controlled learning-effect estimate or numbered headset generation. Wireless trainer communication and remote viewing were further work, not established emergency deployment. Kopin and Motorola donated hardware and technical help.[14]
NASA jetpack engineering tests
A NASA Johnson Space Center project used an unspecified Golden-i developer unit for voice control and telemetry display during ground development of an EVA jetpack. The paper describes a six-ounce headset with six-axis tracking. Custom headset software communicated by Wi-Fi with a Windows 7 server laptop connected to SAFER avionics; a separate Ethernet-connected foot-sensor controller provided another input method. Checkout progressed through the VR laboratory and an air-bearing-floor sled in a 1 g, unsuited environment. Voice and foot control initially worked, but high Wi-Fi interference later dropped the headset link and caused its GUI to quit. The wired foot input remained reliable. The report describes engineering checkout rather than a controlled user study, and gives no comparative performance sample. Microgravity flights and suited ARGOS trials were planned future tests. It provides no evidence of Golden-i operation in space.[15]
RFID inventory prototype
Ben Zoghi's 2019 report describes a Texas Task Force 1 warehouse prototype combining a Golden-i Windows CE application with a separate Motorola MC9090 RFID reader. Spoken menus displayed maps and item photographs; the handheld verified RFID tags against an inventory database. Functional tests checked menu transitions, invalid voice commands, tag identification and environmental conditions. Ordinary tags failed on metal, prompting specialized tags; submerged tags were unreadable. Task Force personnel used the system for three months and provided software feedback. The paper gives no participant count or controlled estimate of time saved. Its introduction calls the headset Infinity, while implementation describes the Windows CE Golden-i shell; its exact hardware generation remains unresolved. Kopin and Motorola supplied equipment and technical help. These are prototype-system results, not verified specifications for Infinity.[16]
Comparison with early smart glasses
Golden-i entries identify their own generation; M100 hardware values below use Vuzix's 2016 sheet. Runtime descriptions have different operating conditions.
| Feature | Documented Golden-i configurations | Google Glass Explorer | Vuzix M100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release | Gen 3.5 kits: March 2011[5] | Explorer delivery: 2013[17] | Tooled units: December 2013[18] |
| Price | Gen 3.5 kit: US$2,500 + tax/shipping[5] | US$1,500[17] | US$999 SDK offer (reported 2012)[19] |
| Resolution | 3.5: 800 × 600[10] | 640 × 360 UI[20] | WQVGA (2016 sheet)[21] |
| Processor | TI case study: DM3730, 1 GHz ARM[1] | OMAP4430[22] | OMAP4430, 1 GHz (2016)[21] |
| Camera | 3.8D: 14 MP[7] | 5 MP stills; 720p video[23] | 5 MP stills; 1080p video (2016)[21] |
| Weight | 2011 overview: three to six ounces[8] | Not stated in cited Google specifications[23] | Not stated in cited Vuzix sheet[21] |
| Battery | 3.5: 1-4 hours, depending on use[10] | One full day typical use (Google estimate)[23] | 2016 estimate: 2 h with display; 1 h with camera and high CPU load[21] |
| Voice control | Gen 3.5 kit: more than 20 languages[5] | "Okay, Glass"[17] | Customizable, multiple languages (2016)[21] |
Later family and licensing
The later Kopin Golden-I Infinity used a different architecture, relying on an Android device or Windows 10 computer connected by USB-C for processing, storage and power. In January 2019 Kopin said evaluation units were shipping and approximately 100 organizations had registered for its evaluation program. Registrations are not evidence that all organizations completed pilots.[9]
In August 2019, Kopin reported licensing its original Golden-I concept to RealWear and a separate transaction involving Infinity technology. It said it no longer planned to fund concept wearable-system development internally. This was a change in Kopin's development and licensing strategy, not a dated support guarantee for earlier headsets.[24]
Strengths and limitations
The NASA experiment exposed sensitivity to Wi-Fi interference, while the HAZHAT prototype required interface changes for protective equipment. These reports describe application-development issues; neither establishes all-day, hazardous-environment readiness for every Golden-i model.[14][15]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "ARM Cortex-A8-based DM3730 DaVinci digital media processor powers Kopin's Golden-i (SPRY182)". Texas Instruments. 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20121020102547/http://www.ti.com/lit/wp/spry182/spry182.pdf. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 31, 2011". Kopin Corporation / SEC. 2012. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/771266/000119312512117581/d268820d10k.htm. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Kopin Corporation Announces Agreement to Sell III-V Assets to IQE plc for $75 Million". Kopin Corporation / SEC. 2013-01-10. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/771266/000115752313000102/a50527517ex99_1.htm. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Kopin Reports Second-Quarter 2009 Financial Results". Kopin Corporation / SEC. 2009-08-04. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/771266/000115752309005579/a6022167ex991.htm. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 "Kopin Announces FCC Certification and Availability of Golden-i(R) 3.5 Computing Headsets". Kopin Corporation / GlobeNewswire. 2011-03-24. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2011/03/24/442945/15028/en/Kopin-Announces-FCC-Certification-and-Availability-of-Golden-i-R-3-5-Computing-Headsets.html. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "Golden-i by Kopin Delivers Mobile Computing Experience: Wireless Hands-Free Control of PCs, Clouds and the Internet". Kopin Corporation (original release reproduced by SlashGear). 2009-09-21. https://www.slashgear.com/kopin-golden-i-gen-2-wearable-computer-on-course-for-2010-launch-2257525/. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 "Headset Solutions". Kopin Corporation. Archived 14 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170314050239/http://www.kopin.com/offerings/headset-solutions. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 "Golden-i Headset Computer Overview". Kopin Corporation. Archived 14 November 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111114003310/http://www.mygoldeni.com/overview. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Kopin's Golden-i Infinity Wearable Gains Momentum; Approximately 100 Organizations Have Already Signed up to Pilot the Unique Smart Glass Platform". Kopin Corporation. 2019-01-07. https://www.kopin.com/press-releases/kopins-golden-i-infinity-wearable-gains-momentum-approximately-100-organizations-have-already-signed-up-to-pilot-the-unique-smart-glass-platform/. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 10.14 10.15 10.16 10.17 10.18 10.19 10.20 10.21 "Golden-i User Guide, revision 3.5.1". Kopin Corporation. undated. https://manuals.plus/m/4dc912a0c95faed25d35a1a238344d6e277cbe9c936518b87c478476a744c6b6. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ "Hands-off with the Golden-i head-mounted computer". Engadget. 2012-01-11. https://www.engadget.com/2012-01-11-hands-off-with-the-golden-i-head-mounted-computer.html. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ "112g Hands-free Headset with 15 inch Virtual Display". Mistral Solutions. 2014. https://downloads.mistralsolutions.com/case-studies/Hands-Free-Headset-with-Virtual-Display.pdf. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ "Conference Call to Announce Agreement to Sell III-V Assets". Kopin Corporation / SEC. 2013-01-10. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/771266/000119312513009541/d465960dex991.htm. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Chris Sartori; Troy Kensinger; Greg Carter; Ben Zoghi (2012). "Golden-i HAZHAT Training Project". Technology Interface International Journal 12 (2): 18-22. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Jennifer Rochlis Zumbado; Pedro H. Curiel; Sam Schreiner (2013). "Hands-Free Control Interfaces for an Extra Vehicular Jetpack". 2013 IEEE Aerospace Conference: 1-11. doi:10.1109/AERO.2013.6497138. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ Ben Zoghi (2019). "Wearable Headset and RFID Technology for Smart Inventory Management". Technology Interface International Journal 20 (1): 33-39. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Google Glass review (Explorer Edition)". Engadget. 2013-04-30. https://www.engadget.com/2013-04-30-google-glass-review.html. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ "Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2013". Vuzix Corporation. 2014-04-09. https://ir.vuzix.com/reports-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001144204-14-021666/v372331_10k.htm. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ "Vuzix Smart Glasses M100 to battle Google Glass for Android eyewear supremacy". Engadget. 2012-11-13. https://www.engadget.com/2012-11-13-vuzix-smart-glasses-m100-announce.html. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ "User Interface: Glass Explorer Edition". Google for Developers. 2024-07-10. https://developers.google.com/glass/design/ui. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 "M100 Smart Glasses: product sheet, revision 01-01-2016". Vuzix Corporation. 2016-01-01. https://files.vuzix.com/Content/pdfs/Vuzix-M100-Product-Sheet-01-01-2016.pdf. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ Robert LiKamWa; Zhen Wang; Aaron Carroll; Felix Xiaozhu Lin; Lin Zhong (2014-03-26). "Draining our Glass: An Energy and Heat Characterization of Google Glass". Rice University technical report 2014-3-23. https://arxiv.org/pdf/1404.1320. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 "Tech specs: Google Glass Help". Google. 2013-04-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20130416102353/http://support.google.com/glass/answer/3064128?hl=en. Retrieved 2026-10-15.
- ↑ "Kopin Provides Business Update and Second Quarter 2019 Operating Results". Kopin Corporation. 2019-08-08. https://www.kopin.com/press-releases/kopin-provides-business-update-and-second-quarter-2019-operating-results/. Retrieved 2026-10-15.