Epson Launches New Generation of Affordable Moverio Smart Glasses for AR Experiences

Two key hurdles to mass adoption of augmented reality are the price and uncomfortable wear of headsets. And Epson aims to remove both of them with one product – the Moverio BT-30C smart glasses. Recently launched, the Moverio BT-30C smart glasses promise to deliver both comfortable and affordable (under $500)  AR experiences.

A Plug-And-Play Solution

The first feature that makes Epson Moverio BT-30C interesting for potential customers is the ease of use. Thus, instead of having to launch apps and go through various settings, they only have to plug the smart glasses in the USB-C port. They can use either their mobile phone or their Windows PC to launch AR videos, games or other apps.

Next, looking at the design of the glasses, they are lightweight and minimalistic. Actually, Epson Moverio BT-30C has the look of retro glasses, with narrow lens and black rims. If you ignored the cord attached to it for plug and play, you could almost mistaken it for a pair of regular glasses.

Experiencing AR Content in a New Way

What makes Moverio BT-30C special is the high adaptability to various use cases. For example, by changing the transparent lenses with the dark ones, users can watch movies without interference from the outside world.

Alternately, they can see superimposed information onto the real world using the transparent lenses. These lenses are ideal for work applications, such as delivering instructions or real time translation captions.

As Epson America product manager for AR, Eric Mizufuka, explains:

”Whether delivering immersive mobile gaming content, real-time captioning and entertainment translation, or augmenting tourist and theme park experiences, the compact Moverio BT-30C smart glasses allow users to experience and interact with content in a whole new way.”

Key Features That Distinguish the New Epson Smart Glasses from Past Models

As much as their design may impress a potential client, there is more than looks to the BT-30C smart glasses. For example, the new Moverio smart glasses feature:

• High resolution OLED display – aimed to offer vivid color and detail in a big-screen image format;
• Compatibility with many devices – smart glasses work with the most popular Android smartphones, tablets and Windows PC computers;
• Comfortable fit and lightweight – users can enjoy augmented reality experiences for a long time without fatigue;
• Developer resources – using Moverio SDK, developers can access headset orientation data, side-by-side 3D mode and various other functions;
• Hands-free use – whether watching a movie or playing a game, users can sit or walk around, without having to hold a phone in their hands.

“Over the past eight years, Epson has been committed to expanding the applications and capabilities of the wearable display category, and the introduction of the Moverio BT-30C brings to market an affordable, high-quality and comfortable wearable display solution that leverages the content, connectivity and power of a smartphone,” said Mizufuka.

A Perfect Device for Upcoming 5G Internet?

Also, the new Moverio smart glasses are “a great accessory for 5G smartphones that leverage high bandwidth to deliver premium-quality multimedia,” according to the head of XR at Qualcomm Technologies, Hugo Swart. In his opinion, the BT-30C headset will “provide transformative benefits to both consumer and enterprise sectors.”

With faster internet speed and more advanced hardware, AR content creators will be able to deliver more realistic immersive experiences.