Lens Wātiwati AR by Yuxuan Hua is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Hiriwa in Hoahoa Hangarau Mau Competition Category.

HiriwaHangarau Mau· 2025

Lens Wātiwati AR

by Yuxuan Hua

A' Design Award Hiriwa Winner in Hangarau Mau Category

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Verified Award Winner
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Colors

The Design

About Lens Wātiwati AR

Ko Lens he wātiwati AR mō ngā haerenga rūmaki i waho, e whakakotahi ana i te ohotata me te māmā. Ahakoa ko ngā pūrere AR o nāianei pērā i ngā mōhiti atamai me ngā waea atamai e pōrearea ana, e whakararu ana rānei i te tūhuratanga, ka tukuna e Lens tētahi whiringa māeneene. Ka mau pērā i te wātiwati, ko ngā āhuatanga AR o Lens e wātea ana ina hiahiatia, kāore e whakapōrearea, ā, kei te tū tonu. I hangaia kia pupuri pērā i te monokaura tūturu, ka whakaaturia e ia he ao hou mā te ihirangi tāpiri: tautuhi i ngā momo kīrehe, tūhura i ngā ara hou, kite rānei i ngā kāhui whetū. Ka whakakotahi māeneene a Lens i te aroha mahara o te kitenga ā-tirohanga me te harikoa o te tūhuratanga ōnaianei.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Hiriwa

Ko Lens Wātiwati AR te toa o te A' Design Award Hiriwa, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa taumata teitei rawa, ātaahua me te whakamīharo. Ko ngā toa Hiriwa he mahi tino kanapa, tino auaha e whakaatu ana i te mātanga, te pūmanawa me te mōhio hōhonu o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Lens Wātiwati AR he mahi whakamīharo, he tauira, he tino ngaio, he auaha hōhonu. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Hiriwa he hanganga rongonui, whakamīharotia e whai wāhi ana ki te whakawhānui i ngā rohe o te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau. Ko Lens Wātiwati AR he mahi e hae ana te tini, e whakaara ana i ngā hiahia, e kawe mai ana i ngā kare-ā-roto pai, ā, e whakaoho ana i te mīharo.

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.