This smartglass can do things Apple’s Vision Pro can only dream of: thermal vision, built-in 5G, no wires, and yes, it can withstand drops with ease
Apple’s Vision Pro is a very capable (and expensive) mixed-reality headset, and it’s already proven quite successful, selling an estimated 160,000 to 180,000 units during the pre-order weekend alone.
However, there are other smartglass products available, many of which are designed for specific use cases.
For example, RealWear Navigator Z1, which was unveiled at CES this year, is described by its maker as “the most advanced intrinsically safe wearable technology in the world.”
Thermal micro camera
It received its IS certification for thermal, electrical, mechanical and safety compliance. This certification indicates that the device will not cause an explosion in environments where flammable particles are present. This makes it a game-changer for industries where traditional consumer electronics such as phones, tablets and immersive AR/VR headsets are banned.
While the Apple Vision Pro is primarily aimed at people who work and play indoors, the Navigator Z1 is aimed at people who work in more challenging environments. It is particularly suitable for those in the oil and gas industry. That’s not to say you can’t use it in more secure environments; for example, it can be used in Microsoft Teams conversations.
Dr. Chris Parkinson, co-founder and CEO of RealWear, said: “Worker safety and productivity should not be mutually exclusive. With so many consumer gadgets being hyped in the industry, we have delivered something truly modern that is in high demand for critical work procedures.”
The Navigator Z1 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6490 chipset and has a built-in advanced AI engine. It meets strict ATEX/IECEx certifications and guarantees voice recognition for hands-free use even in noisy environments up to 100 dBA. The unique modular design allows for customization, including the addition of an IS-certified FLIR Lepton 3.5 thermal micro camera and a removable battery.
The RealWear Navigator Z1 will be presented at this year’s Mobile World Congress and the device is available for buy now with shipping in Europe, the United Arab Emirates and most of the Asia Pacific region. Orders in North America, Canada, Japan, Mexico and much of Latin America are expected to be fulfilled in March.
But if you expect it to be cheaper than Apple Vision Pro, think again. They say you can’t put a price on safety, but in this case you can. It costs a whopping $5,850.