It has been revealed today via a recent patent application by Facebook that its virtual reality division Oculus is developing new augmented reality glasses which will superimpose virtual objects into the real world.
As you can see from the image above, the patent reveals very little about the design of the Oculus augmented reality wearable apart from the fact that they will be shaped like a traditional pair of spectacles.
Waveguide Display Technology
Although Facebook did explain that the smart glasses would project light onto the users’ eyes using a “waveguide display” that can add images and videos to the users’ vision. This technology is crucial for creating a seamless blend of virtual and real-world elements. The waveguide display works by channeling light through a transparent material, allowing the user to see both the real world and the augmented elements without any noticeable lag or distortion. This is a significant advancement over previous AR technologies, which often suffered from issues like limited field of view and poor image quality.
The AR glasses follow on from the recent launch of Facebook’s new virtual social network Spaces, which has been launched for the Oculus Rift headset. Spaces allows users to interact in a virtual environment, making it a natural extension for Facebook to explore augmented reality, where virtual elements can be integrated into the real world.
Competition in the AR and VR Space
Other tech giants such as HTC, Samsung, Apple, and Google are also working on virtual reality and augmented reality technology. For instance, Apple has been heavily investing in ARKit, a framework that allows developers to create augmented reality experiences for iOS devices. Google, on the other hand, has been working on Google Glass and more recently, the ARCore platform for Android devices. HTC and Samsung have also made significant strides with their Vive and Gear VR headsets, respectively.
The competition in the AR and VR space is fierce, with each company bringing its unique approach to the table. For example, HTC’s Vive focuses on high-end VR experiences with room-scale tracking, while Samsung’s Gear VR aims to make VR more accessible through mobile devices. Apple’s ARKit has been praised for its ease of use and integration with existing iOS devices, making it a popular choice among developers.
Facebook’s entry into the AR glasses market could potentially disrupt the current landscape. With its vast user base and expertise in social networking, Facebook could offer unique features that integrate social interactions with augmented reality. Imagine being able to see your friends’ avatars in real-time as you walk down the street or receive live updates and notifications directly in your field of view.
As soon as more information is made available, we will keep you up-to-date as always. The development of these AR glasses is an exciting step forward in the realm of augmented reality, and it will be interesting to see how Facebook plans to integrate this technology into its existing ecosystem.
Source: Telegraph
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