Seattle,Washington – Microsoft appears to be doubling down on its ambitions in the augmented reality (AR) space, with a recently granted patent for a new type of smart glasses that could pave the way for a successor to its popular Hololens headset.
The patent, granted in both the United States and Europe, describes a pair of glasses equipped with a central depth sensor and visible light sensor. These sensors work in tandem tocapture environmental depth information and image data, which are then sent to a processor. The glasses also incorporate an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that collects kinematic data, allowing a machine learning model to estimate current and past movement speeds, ultimately calculating theposition of objects.
This innovative technology promises to enhance the glasses’ accuracy in low-light or object-dense environments, such as indoor spaces, by reducing reliance on GPS or purely visual data. The approach bears similarities to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, but aims to achieve a more refined level of performance.
While the patent doesn’t guarantee the development of a new product, the increasing number of AR glasses patents filed by Microsoft in recent times strongly suggests the company’s continued interest in AI-powered Hololens-like devices. Thisrenewed focus comes at a time when the AR market is witnessing a surge in innovation and competition.
The potential benefits of Microsoft’s new technology extend beyond improved accuracy. The ability to accurately track objects and movements in real-time could open up new possibilities for AR applications, such as:
- Enhanced gaming experiences:Imagine immersive AR games where virtual objects seamlessly blend with the real world, offering a level of realism never seen before.
- Revolutionized industrial applications: Workers could use the glasses to visualize complex machinery, receive real-time instructions, and access remote expert support, leading to increased efficiency and safety.
- Transformativehealthcare solutions: Surgeons could use the glasses to overlay patient data onto their field of vision, enabling more precise and minimally invasive procedures.
- Improved accessibility: The glasses could provide assistance for visually impaired individuals by offering real-time object recognition and navigation guidance.
The patent also mentions the possibility of integrating the glasses withWindows or Windows Holographic OS, suggesting that Microsoft might be aiming to create a more unified AR ecosystem across its devices. This could potentially lead to a more seamless user experience, allowing users to seamlessly transition between different AR applications and devices.
However, it’s important to note that the patent is just a glimpse intoMicrosoft’s future plans. The company has not yet confirmed any concrete plans to develop a new AR glasses product based on this technology. Nevertheless, the patent’s existence and the company’s growing interest in AR suggest that we can expect exciting developments in this space in the coming years.
The emergence of this patentcomes at a crucial time for the AR industry. Companies like Meta, Apple, and Google are all investing heavily in AR technologies, aiming to create the next generation of computing platforms. Microsoft’s continued focus on AR, coupled with its innovative approach to spatial awareness, positions the company as a key player in this evolving landscape.
As the AR market continues to mature, it will be fascinating to see how Microsoft’s new technology translates into real-world products and how it shapes the future of AR experiences.
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