Vuzix Blade 2

Vuzix Blade 2
Basic Info
VR/AR	Augmented Reality
Type	Smart Glasses
Subtype	Enterprise AR
Platform	Android 11
Creator	Vuzix
Developer	Vuzix
Manufacturer	Vuzix
Announcement Date	January 2022 (CES)
Release Date	September 2022
Price	$1,299.99
Website	https://www.vuzix.com/
Versions	Vuzix Blade 2
Requires	None (standalone)
Predecessor	Vuzix Blade
Successor	None announced
System
Operating System	Android 11
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1
GPU	Adreno integrated
Storage
Storage	40GB
Memory	4GB RAM
SD Card Slot	No
Display
Display	Full-color waveguide (Cobra II engine)
Subpixel Layout	RGB
Peak Brightness	2000 nits
Resolution	480 × 480
Pixel Density	24 PPD
Refresh Rate	60Hz
Persistence	N/A
Image
Field of View	20°
Horizontal FoV	~20°
Vertical FoV	~20°
Average Pixel Density	24 PPD
Peak Pixel Density	24 PPD
Foveated Rendering	No
Optics
Optics	Waveguide (in-house)
Ocularity	Monocular (right eye)
IPD Range	N/A (monocular)
Adjustable Diopter	No (prescription compatible)
Passthrough	Native see-through (AR glasses)
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	Integrated speaker
Microphone	Yes (dual noise-canceling)
3.5mm Audio Jack	No
Camera	8MP autofocus camera (720p@60fps, 1080p@30fps)
Connectivity
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 5 (5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C
Ports	USB-C
Wired Video	No
Wireless Video	Yes (streaming)
WiFi	Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac, 5GHz)
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0 (up to 243m range)
Power	Internal battery
Battery Capacity	Not specified
Battery Life	2-3 hours (typical use)
Charge Time	~2 hours
Device
Dimensions	Sunglasses form factor
Weight	~100g (estimated)
Material	Plastic, polycarbonate
Headstrap	None (glasses temples)
Haptics	No
Color	Black
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, ambient light sensor
Input	Touch controls, voice commands
Compliance	ANSI Z87.1 (safety rated), FCC, CE

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The Vuzix Blade 2 is a standalone enterprise-focused smart glasses device developed by Vuzix, announced at CES in January 2022 and released in September 2022 at a price of $1,299.99. As the successor to the original Vuzix Blade, the Blade 2 delivers significant improvements in both hardware and capabilities: 5× more storage (40GB vs 8GB), Android 11 operating system, the new Cobra II display engine with 2000 nits peak brightness, and an 8MP autofocus camera capable of 1080p video recording. Designed for enterprise assisted reality applications in healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and field service, the Blade 2 maintains a socially acceptable sunglasses form factor while providing ANSI Z87.1 safety certification for industrial environments. With its full-color waveguide display offering 480 × 480 resolution in a 20° field of view, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity up to 243 meters, and comprehensive voice control, the Blade 2 targets hands-free workflows requiring information overlay, remote expert assistance, and documentation.

History and Development

Vuzix Heritage

Company background:

Founded 1997
Smart glasses pioneer
Enterprise focus
Display technology expertise

Original Blade

First generation:

2019 release
Consumer-enterprise hybrid
DLP-based display
Market validation

CES 2022 Announcement

Blade 2 reveal:

Improved specifications
Cobra II display
Android 11
Enterprise focus

September 2022 Launch

Commercial release:

$1,299.99 price
Global availability
Enterprise channel
Partner ecosystem

Design Philosophy

Sunglasses Form Factor

Social acceptability:

Normal glasses appearance
Workplace appropriate
Public wearable
Professional design

Assisted Reality

Information overlay:

Glanceable data
Hands-free access
Document display
Communication

Enterprise-First

Professional focus:

ANSI Z87.1 safety certified
Industrial environments
Enterprise software partners
Professional support

Standalone Operation

Self-contained:

Android 11 OS
No phone required
Full processing
Complete device

Display Technology

Cobra II Display Engine

Next-generation optics:

Resolution: 480 × 480
Brightness: 2000 nits peak
Technology: Full-color waveguide
Position: Right eye

Waveguide Optics

In-house technology:

See-through design
Color display
Compact integration
Professional quality

2000 Nits Brightness

Outdoor capable:

Extreme brightness
Outdoor visibility
Bright environments
Always visible

Pixel Density

Information clarity:

24 PPD
Text legible
Icons clear
Professional adequate

Field of View

20° FOV

Glanceable display:

Information window
Non-intrusive
Quick reference
Assisted reality style

Monocular Display

Single-eye design:

Right eye only
Minimal obstruction
Eye fatigue reduced
Depth perception maintained

Processing

Snapdragon XR1

Purpose-built processor:

Platform: Qualcomm XR1
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 40GB
Optimized for AR

Performance

Capable processing:

Android 11 apps
Video streaming
AR applications
Voice processing

Storage Improvement

Major upgrade:

40GB (vs 8GB original)
5× increase
Local content
Offline capability

Camera System

8MP Autofocus

Improved capture:

Resolution: 8 megapixels
Autofocus: Yes
Video: 720p@60fps, 1080p@30fps
Better than original

Camera Applications

Use cases:

Remote expert assistance
Documentation capture
Barcode scanning
Visual inspection

Video Streaming

Real-time sharing:

"See what I see"
Expert guidance
Live collaboration
Remote support

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 5 (5GHz)

Fast wireless:

802.11ac
5GHz band
Enterprise networks
Streaming capable

Bluetooth 5.0

Extended range:

Up to 243 meters (800 feet)
Stable connection
Audio devices
Accessories

USB-C

Modern connectivity:

Charging
Data transfer
Accessory support
Standard port

Audio System

Integrated Speaker

Built-in audio:

Temple speaker
Notification sounds
Voice feedback
Communication

Dual Noise-Canceling Microphones

Voice capture:

Clear voice pickup
Noise reduction
Voice commands
Communication calls

Voice Control

Hands-free operation:

Voice commands
Navigation
Application control
Dictation

Safety Certification

ANSI Z87.1

Industrial standard:

Impact resistant
Eye protection
Industrial approved
Safety compliant

Workplace Ready

Enterprise environments:

Manufacturing floors
Warehouse operations
Field service
Healthcare facilities

Physical Design

Sunglasses Style

Wearable design:

Normal appearance
Lightweight (~100g)
Comfortable wear
All-day capable

Build Quality

Professional construction:

Durable materials
Polycarbonate lenses
Quality finish
Enterprise grade

Prescription Compatible

Vision correction:

Prescription lens inserts
Corrective options
User accommodation
Wide compatibility

Battery

Internal Battery

Integrated power:

2-3 hours typical use
~2 hours charge time
USB-C charging
Hot-swap via external battery

Software Platform

Android 11

Modern OS:

Full Android
App ecosystem
Regular updates
Enterprise features

Vuzix Software

First-party tools:

Vuzix App Store
Companion app
Remote management
Analytics

Enterprise Partners

Software ecosystem:

Microsoft Teams
Zoom
TeamViewer
Custom enterprise apps

Enterprise Applications

Remote Expert

Video collaboration:

Live video streaming
Expert guidance
Real-time support
Problem resolution

Healthcare

Medical use:

Patient information
Procedure guidance
Documentation
Telehealth

Manufacturing

Production support:

Assembly guidance
Quality inspection
Work instructions
Hands-free reference

Field Service

Technician support:

Repair guidance
Documentation access
Remote assistance
Procedure display

Logistics

Warehouse operations:

Order picking
Inventory management
Barcode scanning
Workflow guidance

Comparison with Original Blade

Feature	Vuzix Blade 2	Vuzix Blade
Price	$1,299	$799 (at launch)
Storage	40GB	8GB
Display Engine	Cobra II	DLP
Brightness	2000 nits	1000 nits
Camera	8MP (1080p)	8MP (720p)
Android	Android 11	Android 5.1
Bluetooth Range	243m	~10m

Comparison with Competitors

Feature	Vuzix Blade 2	RealWear HMT-1	Google Glass EE2
Price	$1,299	~$2,500	$999
Form Factor	Sunglasses	Rugged headset	Glasses
Resolution	480×480	854×480	640×360
FOV	20°	20°	~15°
Camera	8MP	16MP	8MP
Weight	~100g	380g	46g
Safety Rating	ANSI Z87.1	IP66/MIL-STD	N/A

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths

Sunglasses form factor
ANSI Z87.1 safety certified
2000 nits brightness
40GB storage (5× original)
Android 11 OS
Long Bluetooth range (243m)
8MP autofocus camera

Limitations

Limited FOV (20°)
Lower resolution (480×480)
Monocular only
No spatial tracking
Higher price than original
Not true AR (assisted reality)
Battery life (2-3 hours)

Technical Specifications Summary

Specification	Details
Display	Waveguide, 480 × 480
Brightness	2000 nits peak
FOV	20°
Processor	Snapdragon XR1
Memory	4GB RAM, 40GB storage
Camera	8MP autofocus
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
Battery	2-3 hours
Safety	ANSI Z87.1
Price	$1,299.99

References