Lens is an AR smartwatch for immersive outdoor adventures, blending spontaneity with simplicity. While existing AR devices like smart glasses and smartphones feel intrusive or disrupt exploration, Lens offers a seamless alternative. Worn like a watch, Lens’ AR features are available when needed, unobtrusive and always ready. Designed to be held like a traditional monocular, it unveils a new world with augmented content: identify creatures, explore new trails, or uncover constellations. Lens seamlessly merges the nostalgia of optical discovery with the thrill of modern exploration.
Press Kit
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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