Epson Singapore makes new Moverio Pro augmented reality smart glasses available

Epson, a global projection technology and visual communications provider, has launched the Moverio Pro BT-2000 smart headset. The Moverio Pro delivers a binocular smart glasses experience for augmented reality applications such as inspection or training purposes, or for remote field service support for complex repair assistance and troubleshooting.

Source: Epson Singapore. The new
Moverio Pro BT-2000 smart headset.

Augmented reality smart glasses can improve worker efficiency for various industries in vertical markets such as warehouse/logistics, field service, automotive, manufacturing, construction, and retail. Workers in different locations can see exactly what their counterparts are seeing, get visual assistance and to provide informed support and training, for instance.

Leveraging Epson’s patented optical and precision technologies, the Moverio Pro BT-2000 provides a platform for displaying augmented reality content over the real world environment and 3D images. The Moverio Pro features a 1,350 Candela/mm²* high-resolution display and micro projectors located on each side of the eyeglasses that project transparent overlays of digital content directly in the user’s field of view over the real-world environment. An ambient light sensor (ALS) automatically adjusts the display brightness for each location at work.

The headset also includes a highly sensitive motion sensor unit, the Epson inertial measurement unit (IMU), consisting of high-precision motion sensors such as a gyroscope, accelerometer and magnetometer for accurate head tracking or indoor positioning. A 5-megapixel stereo camera with three-dimensional depth sensing detects the dimensions and spatial positioning of objects in relation to each other.

Designed with an Android operating system, the new Moverio Pro enables enterprises and other organisations to create and share applications that tailor the product to meet their precise needs. The new product also provides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connectivity with external interface devices such as keyboards, mouses and headsets, voice interpretation and recognition for easier hand-free operation, and two exchangeable batteries that allow work to continue with minimal interruption and downtime. The BT-2000 is also dust and water resistant for durability.

“The Moverio Pro BT-2000 is a result of our discussions with customers in different industries who see the tremendous potential of Moverio smart glasses that can help enhance productivity of their businesses. The Moverio has the potential to revolutionise workflow for onsite or remote operations. It adds a new dimension to professionals for improving their efficiency and accuracy at work, enabling workers to share their experience virtually or provide hands-free movement for hands-on work,” said Tan May Lin, Epson Singapore’s General Manager (Sales, Marketing & Customer Service Division).

Interested?

The Moverio Pro BT-2000 retails at S$4,857 and is currently available in Singapore, Thailand and Philippines.

*Cd/m² is a unit measuring luminance, or brightness.

Epson launches new Moverio smart glasses

Epson has announced the third generation of its Moverio smart glasses for augmented reality. The Moverio BT-300 features Epson's breakthrough silicon-based organic light emitting diode (OLED) digital display technology, enabling truly transparent mobile augmented reality (AR) experiences for business and consumers.

The Moverio BT-300 is the lightest binocular see-though smart glasses announced to date, and is more than 20% lighter than the Moverio BT-200, Epson said. The glasses are powered by a quad core Intel Atom X5 processor and Android 5.1, enabling efficient rendering of complex 3D experiences. An upgraded 5 megapixel front-facing camera and onboard sensors enable the Moverio BT-300 to more precisely determine the location of objects in the real world. The Si-OLED projection system can then seamlessly render and lock 3D content to these objects, with no display background or edges in the field of view.

"The Epson Moverio BT-300 is a major leap forward in mobile AR smart eyewear, with its comfortable, lightweight form factor and amazing new display engine – and at a price comparable to smartphones," said Eric Mizufuka, Product Manager, New Ventures for Epson America. "The transition from LCD backlit projection to Si-OLED enables higher contrast levels, a wider colour gamut and true display transparency – this is a game-changing technology that will accelerate the adoption of AR glasses."

"We've built our AR ecosystem of partners and solutions over the past five years and three commercially available products - it's been a long journey and we've learned a lot.  We've incorporated these learnings into the design of the Moverio BT-300 and are confident that this device will be the standard in the AR glasses category," Mizufuka said. "In addition to pursuing new markets for our technology, we will rapidly scale in areas where we've had commercial success, including drone photography, remote support, AR training/maintenance, healthcare, retail, logistics and more."

"The Moverio BT-300 marks an impressive advance in performance for the platform, and will offer drone pilots crystal clear, transparent first person views (FPV) from the drone camera while simultaneously maintaining their line of sight with their aircraft," said Michael Perry, Director of strategic partnerships, DJI. "The Moverio smart eyewear will make flying and filming safer and help users stay in compliance with local and federal regulations. We are excited to see the incredible applications that can be built with the BT-300 and the recently relaunched DJI SDK – the possibilities truly are endless."

"Moverio is distinct from other smart glasses on the market where form often supersedes function, to the detriment of the product's usability," said Atsunari Tsuda, General Manager responsible for Moverio. "Every design decision we make is driven by consideration for the product's ultimate usage scenarios and our Si-OLED technology opens a new world for us in binocular see-though smart eyewear development. With OLED we can take advantage of reductions in power usage and weight, and improvements in response times, HD resolution, brightness and contrast. By choosing silicon rather than glass for our base wafer we achieve an even more precise pixel display."

Interested?

The Epson Moverio BT-300 will be available in late 2016 and is available for preorder at Epson.com/Moverio.

Watch the video

posted from Bloggeroid

Eyewear goes back to vintage shapes and sizes at Rodenstock

In early 2014 fashion and beauty icon Claudia Schiffer and Germany-based Rodenstock, which makes ophthalmic lenses and spectacle frames, presented their first eyewear collection. In September, the company unveiled an autumn/winter collection for Claudia Schiffer by Rodenstock, with colour updates for various models. 

"The beauty of sunglasses is that they are such an easy and inspiring way to build a look. Accessorised with the perfect coat, bag or jeans, a pair of sunglasses can make a strong statement,” says Schiffer, the Creative Director of the collection.

Willow sunglasses, which are part of the Vintage family, are already a fashion favourite. The new colour update is a retro pink layered acetate (C3007 E). In the Havana shade (C3007 F), which has gold coloured temples, Rodenstock suggests they go well with blue denim and cashmere. 

The rubber-coated Chestnut frame, from the Boyfriend family, also has two new colour variations. A bright blue style with camouflage temples (C3003 E) for a sporty look, and a combination of transparent grey and burgundy red (C3003 F). 

"I love colourful accessories with an element of fun. These frames are a perfect pop of colour for autumn. I’ll wear them with jeans, high boots and a statement cape,” says Schiffer. 

Some of the over-sized frames and modern shapes are unisex. “I’ve always loved the look of my husband’s glasses so I used these for inspiration for shapes and colours on the Boyfriend models,” says Schiffer. 

The Apple frame is now also available in classic black (C3004 F). Based on the colours of autumn and inspired by Schiffer's passion for nature, this model is now also available with a Havana front and a contrast bright orange temple (C3004 E).

Previously only available in single colours, the over-sized retro fashion bestseller Birch is updated with a combination of different colours and prints. The frames now have an elegant contrast temple in warm brown (C3006 E). Another variation is in red with contrasting black-and-red marbled temples (C3006 F). “The over-sized frames are one of my favourite styles because they add a vintage touch to an everyday outfit,” says Schiffer.

“Oversized collections are still going to be popular as we head towards the end of 2014 because they appeal to all ages and demographics,” says Damien Klevge from Rodenstock UK.

“Retro shapes are also increasingly in demand. Our culture may be ever-changing but we never seem to tire of vintage.”

For bright colours such as blue, amber and green with a 60's look, Rodenstock suggests rocco by Rodenstock. The frames are characterised by shiny or matte finishes and prominent lens shapes. Colours include plum, light blue, champagne, crystal and red. In the Porsche Design range, model P8267 comes in red or green and P8266 in plum or rose.

*Images from Rodenstock.