Intel, the world largest chip maker, is expected to offer details about its Remote EyeSight smart glasses next month at IDF in San Francisco. It looks like the chip maker is developing a pair of augmented reality smart glasses, and we probably will see them at the developer show, says PC World.
Cross between HoloLens and Google Glass
Intel’s Remote EyeSight is a set of AR smart glasses built around the idea of remote collaboration. No more information about the AR smart glasses is available; however, they look like a cross between Google Glass and Microsoft’s HoloLens, the report says.
On the technical session page, the AR smart glasses are described as a product that will “transform Intel’s enterprise collaboration experiences with secure, cost-effective, hands-free and augmented reality technologies.” They use Intel’s Collaboration Suite for WebRTC video capabilities. An Intel spokeswoman said VR and AR will be the main focus at IDF but refused to comment on Remote EyeSight.
Intel already sells smart glasses. The US Recon Jet smart glasses, which cost $499, show athletes data like distance traveled, the duration of their workouts, heart rates, GPS maps, and their speeds. This product is not tied to AR or VR. Intel also showed off a concept PC-in-a-backpack at CS, to which VR headsets can be tethered. The chip maker has good CPU technology for AR and VR as well, but it lacks good graphics technology, which is essential for visual computing.
What does Intel plan for AR?
The AR smart glasses give a clue into Intel’s AR strategy. AR blends virtual and real worlds, and it can be used to chat on Skype, build 3D objects, and play 3D games with the real world as a background.
Intel’s Remote EyeSight could allow interactive remote communication on smart glasses, probably similar to having Skype on a wearable. This would possibly promote freedom of communication and movement and blend in virtual and real world scenes into video chats. It could be used in areas like medicine and repairs, the report says.
Heavy headsets like Microsoft’s HoloLens limit movement, a problem that Intel’s smart glasses could solve if they are the right size. However, they may not be welcome in areas like restaurants and bars, just like Google Glass, so they could be limited to use in specific areas.
AR’s potential in the mobile arena is visible through the popularity of the Pokemon Go game. Lenovo’s upcoming Phab 2 Pro smartphone, which is based on Google’s Tango AR platform, can also be used to recognize items, map locations, measure distances, and provide real-time indoor navigation. Intel’s Remote EyeSight could borrow some of those features.
