Sony is pushing ahead with the development of its augmented reality smart glasses, announcing that a developer edition of the SmartEyeglass will be available in selected countries from March.Pre-orders for the SmartEyeglass Developer Edition SED-E1 have started in the United Kingdom and Germany, which at launch will be available in 10 countries.
The SED-E1 comprises a transparent lens eyewear that connects with compatible smartphones, superimposing information onto the user’s field of view.
Sony states the SED-E1 includes “unique holographic waveguide technology, which enables super-thin 3.0 mm augmented reality (AR) lenses with high transparency of 85 per cent and excellent brightness, without any half mirrors that may obstruct the user’s vision”.
The SED-E1 is equipped with a range of sensor technologies, including a CMOS image sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass, brightness sensor and microphone, with these features utilised, together with GPS location information obtained from the connected smartphone, in a manner tailored to the user’s current task or scenario.
The future for smart glasses in the growing wearable tech market has been questioned in recent times, with Google shutting down its Google Glass Explorer program last month.
Sony, however, points to both potential consumer and professional scenarios in which the smart glasses could be utilised.
“Sony is now working to help build a rich portfolio of apps compatible with the SmartEyeglass, so that users across the world can benefit from the convenience in accessing on-demand information in both consumer and professional use cases – all this while having the hands free for other tasks,” Sony states.
“With the release of SmartEyeglass Developer Edition SED-E1, and Sony’s support of app developers and partners working with SmartEyeglass, it’s the ambition to release a product for consumer use in 2016.”
While Sony has not announced Australian pricing or availability, the SED-E1 will carry a price tag of US$840 (around $1,074).
