Although augmented reality (AR) is fascinating, it is unclear whether or not the current state of computing can make it a reality. Xiaomi has shown no signs of giving up, releasing the Wireless AR Glass Discovery Edition, a compact augmented reality headset powered by the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 1 as the Quest Pro.
The company claims that these oversized sunglasses provide a sophisticated method of bridging the digital and physical worlds without the need for any sort of wired connection to a smartphone.
In a tweet, Lei Jun, Xiaomi’s CEO, said the hardware is made from magnesium-titanium alloy and carbon fibre components to keep the weight to a minimum (just 126g, or 4.4 ounces). As an added bonus, it has a custom-built silicon-oxygen anode battery that the company claims will lessen the user’s overall physical exertion.
Display-wise, the headset has two microOLED screens connected to “free-form, light-guiding” prisms, making for an extremely high pixel density that makes the squares invisible to the naked eye.
The manufacturer also claims that the display’s maximum brightness of 1,200 nits will be maintained, making it brighter than competing close-up monitors.
Moreover, the electrochromic front lenses automatically darken when you need to focus on the virtual world, adding to the sense of immersion.
As you see in the video, the sophisticated hand-tracking allows for a new kind of user interaction, in which we can use our hands to control the virtual world. To turn off a smart light, the wearer simply looks at it and taps a virtual switch superimposed on the device.
Similar to Tom Cruise in Minority Report, users will be able to navigate the web (or a video) with the flick of a finger, and they could even put this capability to good use in the workplace.
AR Glasses: A Revolutionary New Technology
At their core, AR glasses work by projecting images and information onto a transparent lens that sits in front of the wearer’s eyes. These images and information are then overlaid onto the user’s view of the real world, creating a blended reality that seamlessly merges the physical and virtual worlds.
The technology that makes this possible is a combination of hardware and software. The hardware includes cameras, sensors, and microprocessors that capture and process information about the user’s environment, as well as the position and movement of the user’s head. This information is then used to generate the virtual objects and information that are overlaid onto the user’s view of the real world.
The software that powers AR glasses is equally impressive. It includes complex algorithms and computer vision technology that enable the glasses to recognize and understand the user’s surroundings, as well as the virtual objects that are overlaid onto the real world. This allows the glasses to display information in a way that is both relevant and intuitive, making it easy for users to interact with the virtual objects and information.
The Future of Immersive Technology and The African continent
As immersive technology becomes more accessible and affordable, we could see an increase in the use of VR and AR in various sectors across the African continent. For example, education, healthcare, and tourism could benefit from immersive experiences that allow users to explore and learn about different subjects in a more engaging way.
The gaming industry is already growing rapidly in Africa, and immersive technology could further fuel this growth. As more people gain access to high-speed internet and powerful devices, we could see a rise in the development and consumption of immersive games and virtual worlds.
Immersive technology could also disrupt traditional media industries, such as film and television. As VR and AR experiences become more popular, we may see a shift towards more interactive and immersive forms of entertainment.
However, there are also challenges to be addressed in terms of infrastructure, access, and digital literacy. It is important to ensure that the benefits of immersive technology are accessible to everyone, not just those with the means to access the latest devices and applications.
The future of immersive technology in Africa is likely to be both exciting and challenging, with significant opportunities for innovation and growth in a range of sectors.
