Vuzix Blade
| Vuzix Blade | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Glasses |
| Subtype | Enterprise AR |
| Platform | Vuzix App Store, Android |
| Creator | Vuzix |
| Developer | Vuzix |
| Manufacturer | Vuzix |
| Announcement Date | January 2018 (CES) |
| Release Date | January 2019 |
| Price | $999 (consumer), ~$1,000 (enterprise) |
| Website | https://www.vuzix.com/ |
| Versions | Vuzix Blade, Vuzix Blade 2, Vuzix Blade 2 Safety |
| Requires | Optional smartphone companion |
| Predecessor | Vuzix M300 |
| Successor | Vuzix Blade 2 |
| System | |
| Operating System | Android (custom) |
| Chipset | Quad Core ARM A53 |
| CPU | Quad Core ARM Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Integrated |
| Storage | |
| Storage | 8GB flash |
| Memory | 1GB RAM |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | Single waveguide display (right eye) |
| Subpixel Layout | Full color |
| Peak Brightness | 700-4000+ nits |
| Resolution | 480 × 480 |
| Pixel Density | N/A |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Persistence | N/A |
| Image | |
| Field of View | 19° (28° adjustable window) |
| Horizontal FoV | ~19° |
| Vertical FoV | ~19° |
| Average Pixel Density | N/A |
| Peak Pixel Density | N/A |
| Foveated Rendering | No |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Vuzix waveguide |
| Ocularity | Monocular (right eye) |
| IPD Range | N/A (monocular) |
| Adjustable Diopter | No (prescription lens options) |
| Passthrough | Native see-through (AR glasses) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | No (notification/display only) |
| Tracking Frequency | N/A |
| Base Stations | None |
| Eye Tracking | No |
| Face Tracking | No |
| Hand Tracking | No |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Limited (head motion detection) |
| Positional Tracking | No |
| Update Rate | N/A |
| Tracking Volume | N/A |
| Play Space | N/A |
| Latency | N/A |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Built-in stereo speakers |
| Microphone | Yes |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No |
| Camera | 8MP autofocus |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Ports | Micro-USB |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | No |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Power | Internal battery |
| Battery Capacity | ~470mAh |
| Battery Life | ~2-3 hours |
| Charge Time | ~2 hours |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Sunglasses form factor |
| Weight | 90g |
| Material | Plastic frame |
| Headstrap | N/A (glasses temples) |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | Head motion, ambient light, proximity |
| Input | Touchpad, voice control, head gestures |
| Compliance | FCC, CE, ANSI Z87.1 (Safety version) |
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The Vuzix Blade is an enterprise-focused augmented reality smart glasses device developed by Vuzix, announced at CES in January 2018 and released in January 2019 at a price of approximately $999. The Blade was one of the first self-contained AR smart glasses featuring Vuzix's proprietary waveguide optics, delivering a full-color see-through display in a form factor approaching regular sunglasses. Unlike full AR headsets that attempt world-anchored holographic content, the Blade focused on practical heads-up information display—notifications, navigation, camera viewfinder, and simple AR overlays—making it suitable for enterprise applications like remote assistance, inventory management, and hands-free information access. Weighing just 90 grams with an 8-megapixel camera, voice control, and all-day wearability, the Blade represented a step toward practical, everyday AR glasses.
History and Development
Vuzix Background
Company history:
- Founded 1997
- Pioneered head-mounted displays
- Enterprise focus
- Waveguide technology development
Smart Glasses Evolution
Product progression:
- M100/M300 series (monocular enterprise)
- Blade development (consumer-form factor)
- Waveguide optics advancement
- Sunglasses form target
CES 2018 Announcement
Initial reveal:
- Consumer AR glasses concept
- Waveguide display demonstrated
- Amazon Alexa integration
- 2018 availability promised
January 2019 Release
Consumer/prosumer launch:
- $999 price point
- Upgraded specifications
- Enterprise and consumer variants
- Global availability
Design Philosophy
Sunglasses Form Factor
Wearable design goal:
- Approaching regular glasses size
- All-day wearability target
- Socially acceptable
- Professional appearance
Heads-Up Display Focus
Practical information:
- Notifications display
- Navigation arrows
- Status information
- Camera viewfinder
Enterprise + Consumer
Dual market approach:
- Enterprise work assistance
- Consumer early adopter
- Developer platform
- Use case flexibility
Display Technology
Vuzix Waveguide
Proprietary display system:
- Resolution: 480 × 480
- Format: Full color
- Type: Waveguide optics
- Position: Right eye only
Field of View
Modest display area:
- 19° diagonal base
- 28° adjustable window
- Small but visible
- Appropriate for HUD use
Brightness
Excellent outdoor visibility:
- 700 nits (minimum setting)
- 4000+ nits (maximum)
- Sunlight readable
- Auto-adjusting
Monocular Design
Single-eye display:
- Right eye only
- Reduces complexity
- Power efficient
- Adequate for information display
Optical System
Waveguide Optics
Light guide technology:
- Projects image to eye
- See-through capability
- Full UV protection
- Sunglasses compatible
Safety Certification
Industrial compliance:
- ANSI Z87.1 certified (Safety version)
- Eye protection
- Industrial environments
- Professional use
Prescription Options
Vision correction:
- Prescription lens inserts available
- Glasses-free AR possible
- Enterprise deployment consideration
Processing
ARM-Based SoC
Mobile processor:
- CPU: Quad-core ARM Cortex-A53
- RAM: 1GB
- Storage: 8GB flash
- Adequate for HUD applications
Android OS
Software platform:
- Android-based system
- App compatibility
- Developer-friendly
- Regular updates
Performance
Sufficient for use case:
- Notification display smooth
- Camera functional
- Voice processing capable
- Basic AR experiences
Camera
8MP Autofocus
Integrated camera:
- 8 megapixel sensor
- Autofocus capability
- Photo and video capture
- First-person view
Use Cases
Camera applications:
- Document capture
- Remote assistance video
- Photo documentation
- QR/barcode scanning
Audio
Built-In Speakers
Integrated audio:
- Stereo speakers
- Clear audio playback
- Notification sounds
- Call audio
Microphone
Voice input:
- Voice commands
- Phone calls
- Voice recording
- Assistant interaction
Voice Control
Hands-free operation:
- Amazon Alexa integration
- Vuzix voice commands
- Custom wake words
- Natural interaction
Input Methods
Temple Touchpad
Touch control:
- Swipe gestures
- Tap selections
- Scroll navigation
- Intuitive interface
Voice Commands
Spoken interaction:
- Menu navigation
- App control
- Information queries
- Hands-free operation
Head Gestures
Motion input:
- Nod for confirmation
- Head shake for dismiss
- Simple interactions
- Accessible input
Connectivity
Wireless
Communication options:
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Smartphone pairing
- Cloud connectivity
Standalone Operation
Independent function:
- No phone required
- Self-contained
- Optional phone companion
- Full functionality alone
Battery
Internal Battery
All-day challenge:
- ~470mAh capacity
- 2-3 hours active use
- 8+ hours standby
- Micro-USB charging
Power Management
Efficiency features:
- Display auto-dim
- Sleep mode
- Power-conscious design
- Quick charge support
Physical Design
Weight
Lightweight for AR:
- 90 grams (3.4 oz)
- Comparable to heavy sunglasses
- All-day wearable target
- Comfortable for hours
Form Factor
Sunglasses style:
- Similar to fashion eyewear
- Slightly bulkier temples
- Professional appearance
- Multiple lens options
Lens Options
Customization:
- Clear lenses
- Tinted lenses
- Polarized options
- Prescription available
Software Platform
Vuzix App Store
Content distribution:
- Enterprise apps
- Productivity tools
- AR experiences
- Developer submissions
Amazon Alexa
Voice assistant:
- Built-in integration
- Information queries
- Smart home control
- Hands-free assistant
Enterprise SDK
Development tools:
- Android development
- Vuzix SDK
- Enterprise integration
- Custom applications
Enterprise Applications
Remote Assistance
Expert support:
- Live video streaming
- Screen annotation
- Real-time guidance
- Field service
Inventory/Logistics
Warehouse operations:
- Pick-by-vision
- Barcode scanning
- Hands-free picking
- Efficiency gains
Manufacturing
Production support:
- Work instructions
- Quality control
- Assembly guidance
- Training
Healthcare
Medical applications:
- Patient information
- Procedure guidance
- Telemedicine
- Documentation
Blade 2 Evolution
Improvements
Second generation:
- Improved display
- Better camera
- Enhanced audio
- Longer battery
Safety Variant
Industrial version:
- Impact resistant
- ANSI Z87.1 certified
- Rugged construction
- Enterprise focused
Comparison with Competitors
| Feature | Vuzix Blade | Google Glass EE2 | Focals by North |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 | $999 | $599 (discontinued) |
| Display | 480×480 waveguide | 640×360 prism | Holographic retinal |
| FOV | 19° | ~15° | ~15° |
| Camera | 8MP | 8MP | None |
| Eye | Right (monocular) | Right (monocular) | Right (monocular) |
| Weight | 90g | 46g | ~70g |
Strengths and Limitations
Strengths
- Sunglasses form factor
- Waveguide display
- Standalone operation
- Enterprise applications
- Voice control
- All-day wearable
Limitations
- Small FOV (19°)
- Low resolution (480×480)
- Monocular only
- Limited AR capability
- Battery life
- Premium price
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | Waveguide, 480 × 480 (right eye) |
| FOV | 19° (28° adjustable) |
| Brightness | 700-4000+ nits |
| Processor | Quad-core ARM A53 |
| Memory | 1GB RAM, 8GB storage |
| Camera | 8MP autofocus |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, microphone |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery | 2-3 hours active |
| Weight | 90g |
| Price | $999 |