Projecting the future
Epson launches new smart glasses and its highest lumen projector in South-East Asia.
HANDS up if you didn’t know Epson makes smart glasses. Well, now you do. The renowned projector brand announced the launch of Moverio BT-300, its latest augmented reality smart glasses, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia earlier this month.
So what are smart glasses? In Epson’s words, they are glasses with “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”.
In other words, they are similar to the glasses worn by Marty McFly’s kids in Back To The Future II.
This isn’t Epson’s maiden venture into smart glasses. Its Moverio range was first launched in 2011 with BT-100, improved in 2014 with BT-200 and again in early 2016 with Moverio Pro BT-2000.
At about 69g, BT-300 is the world’s lightest OLED binocular see-through smart glasses. The Si-OLED technology also provides 1.8x more resolution than BT-200, and has a contrast ratio of 100,000:1 compared to its predecessor’s 230:1.
The BT-300 has a front-facing 5-megapixel HD camera and intelligent tracking sensors that detect the dimension and spatial positioning of objects in relation to each other. Users can take HD-quality video and pictures hands-free, and the device has an LED to indicate when the camera is recording.
Augmented reality smart glasses are projected to improve work-related productivity – a market that interests the makers. The device is targeted for various industries including warehouse/logistics, field service, manufacturing, healthcare, travel, hospitality and retail.
It can also be used for learning and training purposes, remote field service support for complex repair assistance, guided museum tours and others.
“The Moverio BT-300 continues Epson’s commitment to binocular smart eyewear, real optical see-through overlay, and increased performance.
“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 Epson Singapore printers and visual instruments division South-East Asia regional general manager Siew Jin Kiat.
The BT-300 is compact and even fits comfortably over normal glasses with the assistance of a custom nose guard. A separate pack that weighs approximately 129g houses the Quad Core Intel Atom processor – running on Android OS 5.1 – and battery, which lasts up to six hours. This pack also acts as the controller and is connected to the glasses via a wire.
Epson is currently working with businesses and independent software vendors to develop applications for use. One exciting development is its partnership with drone- makers DJI to develop applications for BT-300. Using the DJI Go app for the BT-300, drone pilots will be able to see first person views from the drone camera and maintain line of sight with their aircraft in the real world.
Priced at approximately US$1,000 (RM4,200), the Moverio BT-300 will be available in Malaysia in the first quarter of 2017.
Beyond sight
Besides the smart glasses, Epson has also launched the EB-L25000U – claimed to be the world’s first 3LCD 25,000 lumens laser projector.
The native WUXGA resolution (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) with 4K enhancement technology allows the projector to deliver spectacular image quality for outdoor and large venues.
“The EB-L25000U is Epson’s highest lumen projector and helps to significantly expand our presence in the high-brightness projector market.
“The high-lumen projector market is forecast to grow by 125% by 2020, and Epson is continuing to invest heavily in developing technologies and products to meet the needs,” said Siew.
The projector integrates a fully sealed laser optical engine with laser light source that contributes to a high contrast ratio of 25,000:1, which Epson says provides absolute black and vivid colours. Images can be projected on wide curved and corner spaces, and it also provides an advanced edge blending technology to combine multiple edges for a seamless, unified look.
Made of inorganic material (such as glass, iron, aluminium and more), Epson’s newly developed phosphor wheel offers superior light and heat resistance to deliver excellent reliability. Paired with also inorganic LCD panels, users are able to operate the projector continuously for 20,000 hours of operation before the brightness decreases.
Designed for installation flexibility, users can rotate and tilt the projector 360° in all directions. A wide array of optional 4K compatible lenses are also available for the projector.
The EB-L25000U is tagged at approximately US$80,000 (RM336,000) and prices may vary according to region.
For more information visit epson.com.my.