Lens Horologium Ar Sapiens by Yuxuan Hua

Lens Horologium Ar Sapiens by Yuxuan Hua is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum in Technologia Gestabilis Competition Category.

ArgentumTechnologia Gestabilis· 2025

Lens Horologium Ar Sapiens

by Yuxuan Hua

Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum Winner in Technologia Gestabilis Category

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Verified Award Winner
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The Design

About Lens Horologium Ar Sapiens

Lens horologium sapiens est realitatis auctae ad expeditiones immersivas sub divo conceptum, spontaneitatem cum simplicitate miscens. Cum instrumenta Ar existentia, sicut perspicilla sapientes et telephonia portatilia intelligentia, invasiva aut explorationem perturbantia videantur, Lens solutionem continuam offert. Ut horologium gestatum, proprietates Ar instrumenti Lens praesto sunt cum opus, non molestae semperque paratae. Ut monoculus traditionalis tenendum designatum, mundum novum cum contento aucto revelat: creaturas cognoscere, semitas novas explorare, vel constellationes detegere. Lens nostalgiam detectionis opticae cum voluptate explorationis modernae apte coniungit.

The Recognition

About the Praemium A' Design Award Argenteum

Lens Horologium Ar Sapiens victor est Praemii A' Design Award Argenteum, honoris eximie amplissimi formis summi generis, pulchris et conspicuis dati. Victores Argenti opera valde splendida et creandi ingenio praedita sunt, quae praestantem peritiam, talentum et acumen auctorum suorum ostendunt. Exspectatur Lens Horologium Ar Sapiens opus mirabile, exemplare, valde professionale et penitus novum fore. Haec forma Argento victa inventum notabile et admiratum est, quod ad fines artis, scientiae, formandi rationis et technologiae promovendos confert. Lens Horologium Ar Sapiens creatio est, quam multi invident, quae cupiditates excitat, sensus bonos affert et admirationem miraculumque movet.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Lens is an AR smartwatch for immersive outdoor adventures, blending spontaneity with simplicity. Unlike intrusive AR tools like smart glasses or smartphones, Lens offers a seamless alternative. Worn like a watch, its AR features are unobtrusive and ready when needed. Designed to be held like a monocular, Lens unveils a world of augmented content, merging the nostalgia of telescopic discovery with the thrill of modern exploration.
Dimensions & Packaging: *Dimensions*
-Watch Diameter: 48mm (ideal for a balance of functionality and portability)
-Thickness: 20mm
-Weight: 68g
Tags: Augmented Reality, Smartwatch, Outdoor, Monocular, AR, Wearable Technologies
Production Technology: Lens was designed with a focus on ergonomic comfort and seamless functionality. Crafted from aerospace-grade aluminum for durability and lightweight wear, it features advanced AR projection, a wide FOV camera for immersive visuals, and a compact LiDAR for precise spatial mapping. The quick-detach mechanism enhances versatility, while extensive prototyping and real-world testing ensured optimal performance for outdoor exploration.
Research: We interviewed hikers, foragers, and stargazers to uncover their main frustrations with outdoor AR apps:

1.Devices were too bulky to carry comfortably.
2.Many were too fragile for rugged environments.
3.Frequent screen interactions disrupted the flow of exploration.

And these insights guided our design:

1.A quick-detach mechanism.
2.Intuitive monocular-holding gesture for seamless AR interaction.
3.A capacitive haptic button enabling both simple and complex controls.
4.An integrated haptic motor to reduce cognitive load, letting users stay focused on their surroundings.
Inspiration: Lens was inspired by the age-old act of sighting through telescopes, reimagined for the modern adventurer. Designed to be held like a traditional monocular, it blends the nostalgia of optical discovery with cutting-edge AR technology. Addressing the shortcomings of other AR tools - like the intrusiveness of glasses or the disruption of smartphones - Lens enhances exploration with instant, unobtrusive insights while preserving the spontaneity of outdoor adventures.
Project Duration: Lens began during the pandemic in 2021, driven by a desire to enhance connections and exploration during a unique time. After two years of development, it was completed in December 2023, ready to redefine how we engage with the world around us.
Operation Flow: Lens works seamlessly as a smartwatch and transforms into an AR monocular when removed from the wrist. Interaction is intuitive - simply hold it up to access features like navigation, identification, and stargazing. Key frames include wrist-worn mode for portability and monocular mode for immersive AR. Its unobtrusive design outperforms other tools by delivering instant insights without disrupting the natural experience, ensuring spontaneity and immersion.