This week revealed a series of significant updates in the XR device marketplace. Increasingly, AR smart glasses are taking centre stage, and as that shift happens, new companies bringing a wealth of industry knowledge are joining the XR market and placing their flags.
Reacting to this newfound interest, existing AR smart glasses vendors are working tirelessly to upgrade their product roadmaps and keep a lead as 2025 emerges.
As the new year comes, as does CES 2024, and as the event winds up, the industry will see another round of hype and investment.
XREAL One Series AR Smart Glasses Debuts
XREAL recently launched two new AR smart glasses models: the XREAL One Series and a Pro variant. In the coming months, these glasses will be shipped to buyers worldwide, including the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Netherlands, China, Japan, and Korea.
By introducing the XREAL One Series, the company is solidifying its position in the AR smart glasses market, describing this release as the “biggest leap forward for the consumer AR industry.”
Chi Xu, CEO and Co-founder of XREAL stated, “the XREAL One Series represents the most advanced consumer AR glasses on the market today.” Notably, to make Xu’s comments accurate, the device leverages XREAL’s equally debuting first-party X1 co-processor, which the firm developed explicitly to power spatial computing services.
Even with the new co-processor, the device still needs to be connected to an external computing device, such as an iPhone, Android smartphone, Steam Deck, Windows PC, or MacBook.
A new X1 processor enhances the display of the new AR device for various use cases, including immersive apps, games, and websites. It also supports productivity tools and communication platforms developed using XREAL’s SDK, boosting worker efficiency.
Moreover, XU noted that the new co-processor is “a transformative moment for XREAL customers” due to allowing XREAL to power “the kind of spatial computing we’ve always envisioned and that customers have been eagerly waiting for.”
The device features a three-degrees-of-freedom spatial display, supports various interpupillary distance (IPD) ranges, and comes with TÜV Rheinland eye health certifications. It includes official Bose sound integration, an optional modular multimodal AI camera, and provides 1080p Full HD resolution for each eye. The IPD ranges available are 57-66mm and 66-75mm, with a 50-degree field of view. It also supports prescription inserts, has a refresh rate of 120Hz, and features a modular interchangeable front frame. The device weighs between 84 and 87 grams and includes four integrated microphones.
XREAL has opened pre-orders for the One Series products. The base model is priced at $499, £449, or €549, depending on the buyer’s region. The Pro edition is available for $599, £549, or €649. The company expects to ship the One Series device in mid-December, while the Pro model is anticipated to ship in early 2025.
Samsung to Reveal AR Glasses Prototype
According to the Korean news publication Yonhap News Agency, Samsung is planning to unveil new augmented reality smart glasses in early 2025. The glasses are expected to be showcased during the launch event for the Samsung Galaxy S25, known as Galaxy Unpacked. While the South Korean electronics manufacturer has not yet confirmed these plans, TechRadar notes that this timeline aligns with its release schedule from previous years.
Lian Jie Su, Principal Analyst at Omdia, explains where AR glasses providers need to focus their attention to optimise sales:
Major technology vendors such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta and Qualcomm are looking to bring spatial computing to a range of edge devices, including smartphones, head-mounted displays, AR glasses and robots. To drive growth, vendors will need to further improve chipset efficiency, embrace domain-specific generative AI for spatial computing, build vibrant ecosystems, and, most importantly, drive open standards that facilitate seamless interoperability and integration.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Samsung’s upcoming augmented reality (AR) smart glasses are expected to have a traditional glasses shape and weigh around 50 grams, unlike Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality (MR) headset. The device is rumoured to feature payment capabilities, gesture recognition, and facial recognition, all powered by artificial intelligence.
Samsung Electronics has reportedly been developing this product since February of last year with assistance from Google and Qualcomm. Yonhap News Agency also anticipates that the software for the AR glasses will be unveiled later this month. Given that the XR platform is software-based, this is expected to take the form of an operating system (OS) update.
Following the release of the prototype, industry insiders expect the AR glasses to be available to consumers in the third quarter of next year. Additionally, the news agency has speculated that Samsung Electronics plans to hire more staff during an ongoing reshuffle this week to enhance leadership and ensure the smooth operation of their XR businesses. This move prepares the company for the emerging XR market and technologies.
Bosch Joins XR Marketplace
Recently, technology leader Bosch has entered the extended reality marketplace by revitalizing the development of its augmented reality (AR) wearable technology. Through its Sensortec division, the company is introducing Light Drive, an AR wearable solution designed to ensure smart glasses’ long-term or “all-day” wearability.
One common challenge with immersive wearables is how comfortably the device rests on the user’s head, along with the often demanding impact of immersive visualizations on the user’s vision and surroundings. Although specific details are limited, Bosch’s expertise in creating both consumer and industrial hardware positions the company advantageously for successful hardware development and deployment in this field.
In a social media post, Bosch stated:
We are thrilled to announce that with our cutting-edge display solution, Light Drive, we are revolutionizing all-day AR smartglasses!Our retina-scan-based display solution enables a new benchmark for truly all-day smart wearability. – How can we support you in realizing your smart glasses?
According to the post, the Light Drive solutions offer a unique visual experience, delivering a bright and clear display that remains “always in focus” for users, even in outdoor environments.
Bosch emphasized that the Light Drive solution ensures high lens transparency, supports prescription lenses, weighs only 40 grams, and features integrated camera-less eye tracking. This technology allows users to access contextual augmented reality information and visualizations seamlessly. Additionally, Light Drive is designed to prioritize user privacy by displaying immersive content only visible to the individual user.
In addition to developing consumer devices for kitchens and other areas of the home, it’s worth noting that Bosch has a strong presence in the industrial and automotive sectors. Thus, the company’s move toward AR technology could prove beneficial in establishing partnerships with these industries in the future.
OSHA Deploys Vuzix M400 AR Smart Glasses
Vuaix has increased its collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which expands the deployment reach of its M400 workplace AR smart glasses from the governmental organisation.
Paul Travers, President and CEO of Vuzix, explained:
With a nationwide presence encompassing hundreds of field and federal offices alongside affiliated agencies, OSHA is leveraging Vuzix’ advanced technology to optimize communication and documentation processes across its operations. This initiative aims to reduce response times, improve operational efficiency, and elevate workplace safety standards. We look forward to the opportunity to increase our level of engagement with OSHA going forward.
The partnership is significant for Vuzix, as having its product featured within a leading organization like OSHA opens up valuable opportunities for investment and insights into how augmented reality can impact workplace procedures. The M400 device is designed for the OSHA work environment, offering immersive collaboration tools, such as Zoom integration, to enhance operational efficiency and safety.
Vuzix highlights that this expanded partnership with OSHA follows approximately two years of trials involving the M400 device in OSHA settings. These trials explicitly focused on worker training and refining the device for practical use. This initiative has prepared Vuzix to utilize the M400 for on-site inspections and collaboration among field personnel.
