Lens Iwashi Elihlakaniphile le-AR by Yuxuan Hua

Lens Iwashi Elihlakaniphile le-AR by Yuxuan Hua is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award in Ubuchwepheshe Obugqokwayo Competition Category.

IsilivaUbuchwepheshe Obugqokwayo· 2025

Lens Iwashi Elihlakaniphile le-AR

by Yuxuan Hua

Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award Winner in Ubuchwepheshe Obugqokwayo Category

72,140
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #166878

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Lens Iwashi Elihlakaniphile le-AR

I-Lens iwashi elihlakaniphile le-AR elwezigigaba ezigqamisa umuntu zangaphandle, elihlanganisa ukungahleleki nobulula. Ngenkathi amadivayisi e-AR akhona afana nezibuko ezihlakaniphile namasmathifoni ezizwa engenelele kakhulu noma ephazamisa ukuhlola, i-Lens inikeza okunye okuhambelana kahle. Igqokwa njengewashi, izici ze-AR ze-Lens ziyatholakala uma zidingeka, aziphazamisi futhi zihlale zilungele. Yakhelwe ukubanjwa njenge-monocular yendabuko, iveza umhlaba omusha ngokuqukethwe okwengeziwe: hlonza izidalwa, hlola imikhondo emisha, noma uthole amaqoqo ezinkanyezi. I-Lens ihlanganisa ngokuphelele ukunostalgiya kokuthola ngokubona kanye nenjabulo yokuhlola kwanamuhla.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award

Lens Iwashi Elihlakaniphile le-AR iwinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile ngokungajwayelekile okunikezwa imiklamo esezingeni eliphezulu, ebukekayo nethinta kakhulu. Abawinile beSiliva yimisebenzi egqamile kakhulu nedala kakhulu ebonisa ubungcweti obuphawulekayo, italente nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Lens Iwashi Elihlakaniphile le-AR ilindeleke ukuba ibe ngumsebenzi omuhle wesibonelo, onobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha ezijulile. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award uyinto entsha ebonakala kakhulu nethakazelisayo esiza futhi isunduza imingcele yobuciko, isayensi, ukuklama nobuchwepheshe. Lens Iwashi Elihlakaniphile le-AR iyinto enomhawu omkhulu kuyo evusa izifiso, ilethe imizwa emihle futhi ivuse ukumangala nokuxakeka.

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.