Startup Spartan HUD (Toronto, Canada) has started to sell a product called the Spartan HUD Helmet (Flagship Edition). The Spartan HUD augments the user’s vision through overlays on a high definition LCD. The mixed reality helmet is represented as “comfortable, lightweight and powered by a full desktop computer – all while offering the flexibility of a mobile device and the convenience of a headset.”
What caught my eye about this new product is apparent in the photo below. The version of the headset illustrated is somewhat unique among this category of product in that it covers the entire front of the user’s face.
The Spartan HUD Flagship Edition AR helmet.
The company’s product literature make this characteristic a particular feature of the helmet. The Spartan HUD is described as
“perfectly suited to a post pandemic world in that it comes with a protective front mask covering. The form factor itself acts as a face shield, providing the same Covid protective features as many face shields and masks currently being used.”
Other physical aspects of the Spartan HUD include the ability to accommodate user’s wearing most standard eyewear. An adjustable twist lock strap allows the helmet to fit user’s heads in a size range that includes 99.5% of the population. Built into the helmet optics is an adjustable magnification system that is claimed to allow the user a comfortable visual experience.
A video appended to the end of this article presents some of the uses and applications that are possible with the helmet.
The company emphasizes that the helmet provides a full desktop computing environment. When the Spartan HUD helmet is taken off, it can be connected to another display monitor via HDMI or VGA. By this means it becomes possible for the user to undertake any computer based activity that would normally be accomplished on a laptop. In addition, the Spartan HUD helmet can easily interface with a USB keyboard and/or a mouse for programming and development. In fact, the helmet can be connected to any peripheral USB device or 5.8GHz receiver. Utilizing these means of connection, it becomes possible to access a wide variety of video feeds including a security camera or drone.
A second particular feature of the Spartan HUD Flagship edition is that it was specifically designed to be very extensible and customizable. It is possible to swap and/or upgrade many features of the headset including the CPU, the sensors or the battery. Storage can be upgraded through USB devices and/or the micro SD slot. Additional upgrades can include the addition of a rear view camera, depth, IR, night vision or an AI-GPU. Other possible extensions include a flashlight or an internal cooling fan – allowing use of the helmet in a wide range of environments.
Principle technical specifications for the helmet include the following:
- Front camera field of view: available from 90 – 170 degrees (120 default) plus mounted rear camera
- CPU: Quad-Core Intel Atom x5-Z8350
- OS: Windows 10 Pro Edition (64 bit) included. Other operating system compatibility: Ubuntu Linux 18.04. Coming soon: Android OS and other Linux OS. Visible inside the Field of View, accessible to the user while looking through the HUD.
- Software API: Open source Spartan HUD Developer API
- CPU: Intel Cherry Trail Z8350
- GPU: Intel HD graphics
- RAM: 4GB DDR3L
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Expand memory: SD card (Supports 128 GB)
- WiFi: dual band, 2.4 G / 5G; LAN:10/100M
- Bluetooth: version 4.0
- USB Interface: One USB 3.0 high speed and three USB 2.0
- Additional interfacing: Audio port, headphone/microphone, Ethernet
- Power: Rechargeable Li-ion battery pack. 12 hours typical but depends on usage patterns. Percent usage monitor.
- A high powered wall outlet charger is included for quick charging. Can replenish the battery in 1-2 hours.
- It is not recommended that the Spartan HUD Flagship model be submerge in water or exposed to extreme weather conditions.
Spartan HUD feeds and augments video streams from the HD wide angle front camera into the user’s first person view. The helmet offers “first person view sharing (forget screen sharing!) allowing users to work split-screen with friends and enabling teammates and collaborators to feel like they are working side by side.”
Initial funding for the Spartan HUD project was obtained through a Kickstarter campaign which can be found here. This initial campaign concluded on November 26, 2020 and was declared a success having attracted 23 backers that pledged a total of $23,775 Canadian.
The headset is currently available on the company’s website and is priced at $499 USD. -Arthur Berman
