The early June launch of Vision Pro reignited interest in extended reality headsets. Apple presents its new interface as a “space computer” that ” seamlessly integrates digital content into the real world, while enabling users to be present and connected to the people around them. »
As a reminder, extended reality (XR, Xtended Reality) encompasses the three immersive technologies that are virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality. The hopes maintained in this area by Apple, Magic Leap or Microsoft with HoloLens combined with the rise of metaverses augur a generalization of this practice.
Making XR headsets truly mobile, however, requires them to go on a serious weight loss diet and be much more discreet. The resounding failure of Google Glass remains in everyone’s memory and the Holy Grail for manufacturers would be to design XR connected glasses that look like ordinary glasses, are thin, light and comfortable at the same time.
Two antennas for optimal performance
However, the question arises of how to make them connectable. Researcher at Nokia, Simon Svendsen believes, in a blog post, that the best compromise would be to place the 5G antennas on each side of the edges of the glasses, directly under the hinges.
The use of two antennas provides optimal 5G performance without having to change the design of the glasses or resort to a power amplifier which would raise the temperature level of the frame. Moving the antennas to the outer edge of the frames also minimizes RF exposure to the head, especially the eyes, which are much more sensitive to radiation than the skin.
This positioning also ensures beam direction whether the smartphone delivering 5G is located in a pocket, bag, or held in the hand in many different positions. Once the glasses are worn, limited head movements do not affect signal transmission.
Embedded AI and new interfaces
Antenna placement isn’t the only challenge in designing XR glasses that deliver a truly seamless user experience. It will also be, according to Nokia, to embed artificial intelligence technologies in order to automatically recognize the images seen through these glasses and in what context they exist.
The glasses of the future will have to integrate eye movement detection and tracking technologies, as well as new interfaces allowing the user to interact in mixed reality environments. The world of optics will also have to undergo a revolution in order to “transparently impose the virtual world on the real world”.
These in-vehicle technologies will require new ultra-power-efficient processors and power amplifiers that can easily handle the demands of immersive augmented reality while generating the minimum amount of heat in a head-worn device.
Finally, Nokia raises the question of the standardization of this 5G connectivity in order to ensure the interoperability of devices, to achieve economies of scale and to guarantee the safety, security and confidentiality of users.