Augmented reality glasses are considered the next big breakthrough for wearables that will filter into people’s daily lives. Startups and major tech players alike have stepped up to put useful and connected features right in front of users’ eyes. Though the concept of augmented reality glasses was thrust into the spotlight with Google Glass, the product failed to break into the mainstream and now only lives on in the workplace.

Despite this, Apple is reportedly working on smart glasses, and Facebook has already confirmed its plans to launch smartglasses in 2021; these products both and have augmented reality at the forefront, merging virtual and physical worlds overlaying data on the surrounding world.

Meanwhile, Google has purchased smartglasses hopeful North, which was working on the second generation of the promising North Focals, and has confirmed the company will be stripped for parts and absorbed into their hardware team.

With the big names seemingly waiting in the wings, not yet ready to show their cards, startups are beginning to fill the smartglasses market gap.

It’s also not just about putting a camera on your face. Smartglasses potentially bring the ability to track fitness, tune in to audio without headphones, and activate smart assistants. There are also smart glasses that purely focus on letting you take more memorable photos and videos.

So, if you’re raring to start flaunting your smart specs now or you want to know what you might be wearing in the not too distant future, there are going to be many options for you to explore.

AR or augmented reality glasses refer to eyewear that has the technology on board to merge what you see in the real world with virtual information, usually overlaid on one of the lenses. That could mean recreating the kind of screens and features you’d find on your smartphone, including navigation for maps or displaying push notifications.

Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality is not limited to a wearable device and is being tested and implemented on phones, projectors, and PCs alike in addition to AR glasses or AR headsets. Although this technology has enormous potential for mass adoption, it is a less well-known concept than even virtual reality.

Looking at frontrunners such as Lenovo’s AR Concept Glasses and NReal Light AR smartphone glasses, it seems that users will be able to use their PCs and smartphones in conjunction with AR while on the road. This is because these glasses are highly portable and will allow users to access their work, social media, games, and more with ease.

This AR smart glasses or AR Glasses guide lets you understand the different types of AR headsets and glasses or devices, leading AR glasses and headsets, and leading manufacturers in the industry.

Types of AR glasses

1. Heads Up Displays Or HUDs

These are a transparent display that presents data to the user’s screen in front of their eyes, meaning the user need not look away from their usual viewpoints. Additional data displayed could be routes, location, plans, black spots, chats with other device users, and even 3D images and videos.

2. Holographic displays

AR glasses based on this technology display 3D holograms overlaid on the real world around the user to render a mixed reality experience. The hologram image is generated using light diffraction techniques.

3. Smart glasses

Augmented Reality smart glasses are wearable, computer-capable glasses that add extra information, such as 3D images and information in the form of animations and videos, to the user’s real-world scenes by overlaying. They can retrieve data from computers, smartphones, or other devices and can support WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS.

4. Handheld

Handheld Augmented Reality includes handheld devices such as smartphones on which AR apps are installed. They contrast with the AR headsets that are worn on the head and are easy to use and cheap.

Examples include using your smartphone to try out virtual models of furniture on the floor of your house on the IKEA app, or playing Pokemon Go on your smartphone.

Further types include:

Smartphone AR headsets: These AR headsets employ the smartphone to generate AR environments. A smartphone can be slotted into such a device, and the user can see both the AR environment and the real world at the same time.

Inspired by smartphone-based AR, smartphone AR glasses or headsets make AR more accessible and cheaper because the user does not need to buy the more expensive computer-capable AR smart glasses and headsets.

Examples of this include the iOS and Android-powered Ghost smartphone AR headsets that also use the Ghost OS to float apps in front of the user’s real-world environments.

Tethered AR headsets: These are wire or cable-tethered to the smartphone or PC and made for a faster, more reliable, and more secure connection.

Wireless AR headsets: Most of those in other categories would fall under this as long as they have wireless connectivity via WiFi, Bluetooth, and other methods.

Uses

Video collaboration

The most prominent application for smart glasses today is definitely video collaboration. The ability to work together with experts remotely in a system is improving working environments in many sectors, from field service to complex engineering support. Remote assistance functionality makes it even more attractive for companies to incorporate the smartglasses technology into their workflows.

Complex manufacturing

Assembly lines are all about speed, productivity, accuracy, compliance, and quality control. These fundamental elements happen to be the exact areas in which smart glasses can deliver. In tasks where every detail counts, automotive and aerospace manufacturers implement eyewear devices to bring real-time solutions to the factory floor.

Logistics and warehousing

While keeping their hands free and receiving directions and visual cues directly in their field of view, warehouse workers can quickly locate, collect, and deliver items. Because of this, smart glasses are replacing handheld devices, scanners, and printed materials. As a result, employees can increase productivity while decreasing errors and subsequent costs.

Building and construction

Using smart glasses, construction workers experience a safer, more productive hands-free workflow. Structural inspections and errors can also be more accurately held and corrected through remote solutions offered in real-time.