Lens AR-Smartwatch by Yuxuan Hua is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award an Sëlwer in Draagbar Technologien Design Competition Category.

SëlwerDraagbar Technologie· 2025

Lens AR-Smartwatch

by Yuxuan Hua

A' Design Award an Sëlwer Winner in Draagbar Technologie Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #166878

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Colors

The Design

About Lens AR-Smartwatch

Lens ass eng AR-Smartwatch fir immersiv Outdoor-Aventuren, déi Spontanéitéit mat Einfachheet verbënnt. Wärend existéierend AR-Geräter wéi Smart Glasses a Smartphones als oprénglech empfonnt ginn oder d'Exploratioun stéieren, bitt Lens eng nahtlos Alternativ. Gedroe wéi eng Auer, sinn d'AR-Funktiounen vum Lens disponibel wann néideg, onopfällend an ëmmer bereet. Entworf fir wéi en traditionelle Monokular gehale ze ginn, enthëllt et eng nei Welt mat augmentéiertem Inhalt: identifizéiert Kreaturen, entdeckt nei Weeër, oder enthëllt Stierbiller. Lens verbënnt nahtlos d'Nostalgie vun der optescher Entdeckung mat der Opregung vun der moderner Exploratioun.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Sëlwer

Lens AR-Smartwatch ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Sëlwer, enger aussergewéinlech prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un Designe vun der héchster Qualitéit, prächteg a beandrockend vergi gëtt. Sëlwer-Gewënner si bemierkenswäert brillant a ganz kreativ Wierker, déi d'erausragend Expertise, d'Talent an d'Schaarfsënnegkeet vun hire Designer weisen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Lens AR-Smartwatch e wonnerbart, mustergëlteg, bemierkenswäert professionellt an déif innovatiivt Wierk ass. Dëst mam Sëlwer ausgezeechent Design ass eng bemierkenswäert, bewonnert Erfindung, déi dozou bäidréit, d'Grenze vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie ze erweideren. Lens AR-Smartwatch ass eng Kreatioun, op déi vill neidesch sinn, déi Wënsch erweckt, positiv Gefiller bréngt an Erstaunen a Wonner erweckt.

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.