Tech companies are adamant that we need more tech on our faces. While VR headsets are cool, you can’t navigate the real world while wearing ‘em. Google’s Glass debuted a few years ago, but never really made its way to consumers. Now Oppo’s betting on its newly announced AR Glass tech.

Oppo’s Air Glass will launch in the Chinese market only, according to the latest reports. So chances you’ll get to use this one are slim if you’re not based in China. It plans to have the tech in consumers’ hands by Q1 2022, pricing pending.

Oppo’s optical approach

The device itself is actually made up of two parts: there’s a detachable monocle-style waveguide device, as well as a frame that’s either silver or black.

As to how it functions – seems it’s very similar, in theory, to Google’s Glass. It’s designed to beam basic information into your eyes. Not literally – but the concept is that it’ll display info like navigation, fitness routines and translation as a heads-up display in front of the wearer’s eyes. The concept isn’t foreign, especially for gamers.

To make this happen, Oppo’s implementing something called a “Spark Micro Projector” that is reportedly very power efficient. It’ll have to be considering you can’t attach a large battery pack to the frames. This Micro-LED projector is “roughly the size of a single coffee bean”, and manages to display a 640 x 480 resolution image onto that aforementioned waveguide display.

Of course, it’s also got its own Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor on board, offers notification support when paired with an Oppo smartphone or watch, and allows for motion-input by nodding or shaking your head.

While very intriguing, we’re not so keen on a future where we have to constantly charge our watch, pen, cigarette, computer and glasses.

Source: Engadget