IDTechEx Research: Smartglasses Teardown

Copyright © 2016 IDTechEx | www.IDTechEx.com

Smartglasses Teardown Enabling Technologies for Eye-Worn Computing

Dr Harry Zervos, Principal Analyst, IDTechEx


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New IDTechEx Research Report AR & VR Smartglasses and Functional Contact Lenses 2016-2026 From augmented and virtual reality headsets to the advent of embedded electronic functionalities in lenses For more information visit www.idtechex.com/glasses

http://www.idtechex.com/glasses


Components for eye-worn devices


Interfacing with computers undergoes a constant evolution, allowing for wider adoption as interaction becomes more “natural”.

From keyboards to touchscreens to cameras & positioning/location/infrared sensors, a new wave of innovation is making interfacing with computers gesture-based, with significant advances in voice recognition also . Google’s project Soli, Microsoft 10 incorporating holographic interaction software, Augmented Reality (AR) eye-worn computers from Vuzix and Atheer Labs and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets like the Fove are integrating gesture recognition, eye-tracking etc. in order to control/interact with new computer devices Significant IP is currently being generated in this space that will prove crucial in further commercialization of devices, that will move from enterprise-oriented initial offerings towards the larger volumes associated with consumer products

Pole position players: Google, Vuzix, Microsoft, Fove Images: Microsoft, Google ATAP

Components: User Interface


Components: Near Eye Displays (NEDs) LCD LCoS μ-LED µ-OLED

Adv

anta

ges

Most mature technology.

Widely used in projector technology

Mature technology when compared to µ-LED & µ-OLED

Fast switching ferroelectric liquid crystals can offer improved performance

Excellent optical properties (brightness & contrast)

High efficiency leading to longer battery life

Much higher contrast

Faster response time

Wider operating temperature range

No external illumination

Lim

itatio

ns

External light source required

Color filter utilization can reduce brightness

External light source required in the device architecture

Increased power consumption

Device complexity means this is likely to be the most expensive solution

Challenging to scale up in cost-effective, reliable way

Currently low brightness:

300 nits in viewfinder

applications

(Targeting 10,000 nits in

future generations)

Lifetime issues with

higher drive currents Source: IDTechEx report: AR & VR Smartglasses and Functional Contact Lenses 2016-2026. www.idtechex.com/research

http://www.idtechex.com/research


Components: Near Eye Displays (NEDs) LCD LCoS μ-LED µ-OLED

Conc

lusio

n

Integrated in products already and having achieved volume production, there’s a requirement for improvements in power consumption and brightness in order to remain competitive in the long term

An interest towards other technologies in order to improve power consumption will lead to requirements for improved performance in order to remain competitive

Excellent performance but inherently complicated and expensive

Moving to scale up will determine long-term feasibility, recent developments in conversion technology paramount.

Direct colour emission (no

RGB arrays) will enable

improved brightness and

lifetime. Early prototypes

have shown this.

Can offer superior

performance in med-long

term

Com

pani

es Epson

Kopin

Himax

ForthDD

Holoeye

LuxVue, infiniLED

Lumiode, mLED

verLASE, Ostendo

eMAgin

microOLED

Dresden Microdisplay

Source: IDTechEx report: AR & VR Smartglasses and Functional Contact Lenses 2016-2026. www.idtechex.com/research

http://www.idtechex.com/research


The first wave of wearable sensors have been adapted from other industries Current innovation is driving a second wave, with sensors designed from scratch to be wearable, with near-eye or on-eye requirements.

Pole position players: Bosch, Invensense, ST Micro, Texas Instruments

Components: Wearable Sensors

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

Adapted from another industry Designed for wearable productsFirs

t wav

e S

econ

d w

ave

Examples:

• Dry, smart electrode systems for monitoring potential

• Fully conformable sensors for stretch/motion/impact sensing

• Implantable sensors

• Incorporation of multi-functional skin patches

• Textile-based sensors and electrodes

Wearable Sensor units sold /millions

Adapted from:


Significant improvements are required from energy technologies in order to improve performance of “on-board” powering schemes (flexible storage devices, energy harvesters + storage, etc. ) In many cases, the requirements come with a need for transparency (especially when in vision path), smaller footprint, higher energy densities (in glasses also but in contact lenses more so) in order for devices to be unobtrusive and easily integrated. Increase in power output and flexibility in design and form factor will remain paramount. For now, clever design is used to overcome power output limitations (e.g. battery packs tethered to eye-worn devices)

Image source: Epson

Pole position players: Imprint Energy, FlexEl in thin flexible batteries Watch: LG, Samsung and Apple entering the flexing battery space also

Components: Energy Storage/harvesting

Copyright © 2016 IDTechEx | www.IDTechEx.com 16 16

Thickness vs. capacity

Active Material

Active Material

Hermetic sealing

Copyright © 2016 IDTechEx | www.IDTechEx.com 17 17

Source: Imprint Energy

Wearables need pulse power!


Smart eyewear: near-eye


Consumer apps too challenging, starting with enterprise applications When costs come down to that of a high end smart phone, the consumer market opens up

Augmented reality (AR) smartglasses


Sleek design vs. functionalities vs. battery life (images: Kopin, Recon) Requirements for reduced size optics that do not block the wearer’s view but do not interfere with expected design/look of a high end product Content: Critical!

Augmented reality (AR) smartglasses


Very different requirements to AR smartglasses. AR headsets should not obstruct the user’s perception of reality, VR headsets should make the user forget reality exists. Mostly lower cost than AR as some, devices utilize the optics/sensors within smart phones. The ones that integrate their own display/sensing/optics are more expensive

Virtual reality (VR) smartglasses


Samsung’s Gear VR headset is already on the market for only $100 Occulus Rift creating the most buzz, with a $2 Billion dollar acquisition from Facebook, priced at $400. Has been shipping for about 1 week. Avegant’s Glyph comes with the sleekest design at $500 Bundles affect the price consumers pay for a headset

Virtual reality (VR) smartglasses


Forecasts


Significant growth for AR Smartglasses which will reach over 100,000,000 units by 2026.

AR and VR smart glasses forecasts

Source: IDTechEx Research Report “AR & VR Smartglasses and Functional Contact Lenses 2016-2026” (www.IDTechEx.com/glasses).

0

5E+09

1E+10

1.5E+10

2E+10

2.5E+10

2016 2019 2021 2023

AR and VR revenue forecasts (in $)

AR Total revenue ($) VR total revenue ($)

0

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

50,000,000

60,000,000

2016 2019 2021 2023

Forecasted unit sales for AR and VR headsets

total AR units total VR units

http://www.idtechex.com/glasses


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Dr Harry Zervos, Principal Analyst [email protected]

IDTechEx Research: Smartglasses Teardown

Technology

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