Epson did not announce any new hardware updates to it Moverio BT-200 Smart Glasses at CES 2015. Instead, it filled its booth in the Sands with partners that were showing a variety of augmented reality (AR) applications.
Epson at CES 2015
Launched in 2014, the Moverio BT-200 is being used for both consumer and professional applications.
The BT-200 is a dual-display AR headset that uses micro projectors located on each side of the lens to project transparent overlays of digital content directly in the user’s field of view over the real-world environment. In addition to the Moverio BT-200’s sensors for head-motion tracking and hands-free navigation, the smart glasses include a front-facing camera for video as well as image capture that detects real-world markers for augmented reality applications.
The Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses are available through online retailers and direct from Epson for MSRP $699.99.
At CES, Epson was showing the following demos:
- LyteShot – Merging the physical and digital worlds that turns any place in the world into a gaming arena, the LyteShot integrated platform aims to deliver an “endless” supply of games from live-action role-playing games, FPS shooters, new variations of games of tag with obstacles, scavenger hunts with challenges, and adventures with complex storylines. They were just launching a new Kickstarter campaign at CES.
- PlayAR – A multiplayer live action game that turns the entire planet into an editable, augmented reality game with digital content overlaid on top of real-world objects. Users control real-world land, and can play against their friends or team up and play against neighboring towns, states and or even countries. Users can upload their own crazy weapons, fortifications, robots, vehicles and body armor.
- EON Experience VR — Focused on education and training using augmented reality, immersive virtual reality, and interactive experiences, EON Experience VR is designed for higher education, vocational training, and edutainment experiences to help students and trainees learn by doing and visualizing complex concepts.
- NGRAIN – This is an advanced manufacturing aide on the Moverio BT-200 using augmented reality to help coordinate and execute activities on the shop floor. Staff told us that the real market for this is “big and expensive objects” – aircraft engines, engineering components, etc
- Aero Glass – Aims to bring affordable augmented reality to aviation with an unparalleled 3D, 360-degree experience in the cockpit, regardless of the visibility conditions. The app addresses pilots’ need to properly visualize terrain, navigation, traffic, instrument, weather, and airspace information with access to vital safety procedures and protocols.
- Augumenta – the firm was demonstrating gesture-based control software featuring a vocabulary of eight dynamic gestures that allows hand signals to be used as commands.
- The Roshambo Reloaded game – a variation of the classic “Rock, Paper, Scissors” that is now available on the Moverio Apps Market – will illustrate how Augumenta’s software executes command sequences on the Moverio BT-200.
- Scope AR – Showcasing how Moverio augmented reality display can be used to train a technician in a common maintenance routine for a fuel pump assembly. This is one example of how Scope AR’s step-by-step platform on the Moverio BT-200 can be used in initial training or field maintenance work instructions.
- Metaio – Highlighting its new 1:1 camera calibration tool on the Moverio BT-200 smart glasses with optical see-through augmented reality demonstrations for industrial and manufacturing environments.
- APX Labs – Was showcasing its latest Skylight software platform that companies use to create Moverio smart glasses applications for business scenarios where you need hands-free, voice-activated, real time information right where work is getting done.
- Rochester Optical – Showcasing its array of lens’s optimized for the Moverio glasses with different shades, colors and darkness settings.
Display Daily Comment
I attended the Epson press conference – it was the shortest that I have ever been to, at around 7 minutes and was just an invitation to talk to some of the partners that were also attending and that had been on the booth. Epson was focussing its new announcements on fitness devices including a new M-Tracer for golf. The company said it is working with top sports celebrities to understand how the products could best be used to optimise performance. There were no projectors or printers mentioned at the conference or shown on the booth. (BR)
