Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses App Wins Health Award

Though Vuzix has primarily become a name associated with providing augmented reality (AR) smart glasses technology to businesses and industry, the company is also working for various applications in medicine and healthcare, such as seeCOLe or ‘see Clinical data on Lens’, which has just won an award at the Cerner Corporation Code App Challenge.

The Cerner Corporation Code App Challenge was held during the 2018 Cerner Health Conference in Kansas City. Cerner Corporation is devoted towards health technology and innovation that assists medical personnel in making care decisions and managing health of populations.

Vuzix Blade medical

Cerner brings thousands of medical professionals together each year for its annual Cerner Health Conference, which this year hosted the Code app Challenge, which gave third-party developers the opportunity to create, develop and pitch innovative solutions that can help improve health outcomes.

The app produces, titled seeCOLe is an AR health app that allows clinicians to navigate and document information into an electronic record system using smart glasses. While using the app, the clinicians can use verbal commands to interact with the electronic record, which can show data from a patient’s chart and display it on the Vuzix Blade smart glasses. Once the data is accessed, the seeCOLe application can be navigated using voice or touch features.

The app means that a clinician can access a patient record wirelessly and keep the hands free, thus also improving patient-doctor interaction, which can have a positive result on patient outcomes.

“The overall form factor, wearability and performance of the Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses has drawn rave reviews from B2C customers, who see a tremendous opportunity to disrupt the existing market and build hands-free solutions around the Vuzix Blade platform,” said Paul Travers, Vuzix President and Chief Executive Officer. “Innovative health applications like seeCOLe, delivered through a see-through display on the Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses, can not only help clinicians provide improved care, but also increase their interaction with patients.”

Vuzix Blade 3000

For future coverage on Vuzix and other AR hardware and applications, keep checking back with VRFocus.

Vuzix Announces Partnership With WakingApp

Most weeks have some degree of news from Vuzix. As we’ve mentioned previously on our coverage, the smart glasses company is perhaps the most prolific user of press releases in he industry. However this particular week in October has been something of a Vuzix-fest of news, as this will make the third announcement from the team in a week – and they’re all about very different things.
Vuzix - LogoToday’s news is one of partnerships, however. With the company, founded back in 1997, revealing that they have entered into a multi-year strategic partnership with the team from WakingApp. They will be supporting Vuzix’s augmented reality (AR) smart glasses through their ENTiTi AR Creator content creation platform. Currently at version 3.0, ENTiTi AR Creator “allows for rapid content creation, simple integration with existing apps, on-the-fly content updates, support multiple AR solutions including SLAM AR, QR tracking or Image Target AR using JavaScript for its advanced scripting capabilities”.

Vuzix in turn will be distributing up to 100,000 limited time licencees for ENTiTi to its various customers over the next two years. With model environments being released as demos for both its M300 and Blade Smart Glasses. The move is designed, the company says, to promote app creation, as Paul Travers, Vuzix President and Chief Executive Officer, explained.

“Our partnership with WakingApp will introduce a new community of developers to the Vuzix Blade and Vuzix M300 Smart Glasses opening the door for the creation of new applications and experiences for enterprise and consumers. WakingApp’s ENTiTi AR Creator 3.0 levels the playing field for developers by enabling individuals with zero coding skills to create AR content for Vuzix smart glasses. Vuzix is really excited to provide ENTiTi AR Creatorform.”

Vuzix Blade“We are extremely excited about this partnership, and of becoming an integral part of one the fastest growing segments in the AR space.” Adds Matan Libis, the CEO of WakingApp Ltd. “By integrating our ENTiTi 3.0 creator with Vuzix line of smart glasses we believe that there is great potential to accelerate the growth in both of our companies.”

VRFocus will have more AR related news, and probably more for Vuzix too, very soon.

Vuzix Announces Release Date for Blade Smart Glasses

Vuzix has become well-known in the augmented reality (AR) industry for its work providing AR smart glasses to businesses. The company had previously announced it was working on its Blade line of smart glasses, which are lightweight glasses which resemble an ordinary pair of thick-framed glasses. Vuzix have now announced that it is ready to launch the Blade Edge smart glasses product.

Vuzix are expecting to start shipping the Vuzix Blade smart glasses to customers in November, 2018.

Vuzix Blade

Previously, Vuzix had launched the Blade Developers and Edge programs, which were designed for software developers to give them access to beta units. More recently the company launched the Developer Centre to let Vuzix partners access a set of resources for developing applications for the Vuzix Blade.

The first commercial release of the Vuzix blade will include the Blade Edge software development kit (SDK), which will allow enterprise customers to link the Vuzix Blade smart glasses to iOS or Android smartphones and tablets. In addition, customers will get access to the Vuzix Blade companion app, email, messages, media player control and application notifications between Vuzix Blade and paired iOS or Android devices.

“Vuzix has been seeding developers and enterprise customers with Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses over the last few months and the feedback we have received from our community of customers has been very encouraging,” said Paul Travers, Vuzix President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Vuzix team of software engineers has put together an incredible Blade Edge commercial edition SDK for our customers to begin leveraging new functionality, porting over existing enterprise applications and opening up communication links directly between connected Android and iOS devices and the Vuzix Blade to deliver new hands-free content and productivity tools for consumer facing business applications. Vuzix continues to work diligently on the next Vuzix Blade General release for both consumers and business, which will include an expanded software suite and services as well as retail packaging and accessories. It is expected to be released in January 2019.”

Vuzix Blade 3000

For future coverage on Vuzix and other AR devices and applications, keep checking back with VRFocus.

This Week In VR Sport: Vuzix And OnCore Target AR Golf, The VR League Finals Draw Near And Watch PGA TOUR Coverage In VR

Every weekend VRFocus brings you a number of sports and eSports related virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) stories as part of This Week In VR Sport. This week, a reminder that the VR league Season 2 finals are being held at the upcoming Oculus Connect 5 event, Vuzix has announced a partnership with OnCore to produce AR experiences for golf players and fans can now watch PGA TOUR coverage in both VR and AR. 

VR League

VR League Season 2 Final To Be Held At Oculus Connect 5

The ever growing VR eSports scene will be making another big step soon as it has been announced that the VR League Season 2 finals will be features at the upcoming Oculus Connect 5 event.

The Oculus Connect 5 event is taking place on September 26 – 27 at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose and it is here that teams will face off against each other in the world finals of the VR League season 2. This will see teams for popular VR titles such as Onward, The Unspoken, Sprint Vector and even Echo Arena battle it out to take home the victory and the prize. The VR League is sponsored by Oculus and ESL so it isn’t much of a surprise that the final will be held at the Oculus Connect 5 event and might even become a trend in the future.

VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest from both the Oculus Connect 5 event and the finals of the VR League Season 2 as they develop, so stay tuned for more.

Vuzix Announces Partnership With OnCore Golf To Bring AR Experiences To Golf Players

Vuzix Corporation, known for their Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses, have announced that they are partnering with OnCore Golf to deliver new AR enhanced experiences for golfers on the Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses.

The two companies will team up to create AR instructional, entertainment, and educational programs that golfers of all skill levels can enjoy at any venue – including driving rangers, golf entertainment centers, on the golf course, and at home – all center around the Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses. The two companies are planning to introduce their first AR golf experience in early 2019 and will leverage third-part ball launch system at driving ranges and practice facilities.

By mid-2019, OnCore expects to launch its smart GENiUS ball and offer it with the Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses to allow for real-time AR tracking and analysis for golfers to use in actual course play. The system will include a range of features such as instructional and caddying advice using a network of both professional golf instructors and artificial intelligence (AI), along with GPS location and sensor technology. More features are expected to be announced in the coming months closer to the release of the product.

“We are excited to enter into this partnership with OnCore Golf and believe it can create an entirely new form of entertainment and training experiences for golfers of all skill levels,” said Paul Travers, President and Chief Executive Officer at Vuzix talking about the new partnership: “Bringing Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses to the golf courses, golf entertainment centers and driving ranges gives us an opportunity to connect with more than 25 million active golf participants that play on more than 15,000 golf courses across the USA.”

“Coupled with an appropriate golf ball launch system, wearers can see their flight statistics in real time. Connecting the digital world to the real world through the Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses allows wearers to keep their phone in their pocket and eye on the ball while offering an opportunity to improve their golf handicap or just simply have a lot fun while trying.”

VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on this partnership in the future as it develops.

PGA TOUR

Watch The PGA TOUR FedExCup Playoffs In VR And AR

PGA TOUR announced earlier this week that it was going to give fans an immersive way for fans to experience coverage of the FedExCup Playoffs event for the 2017-18 season. On offer are three holes of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club which are being broadcast in VR with fans also able to enjoy some of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings warm up on the driving range.

Fans will be able to enjoy coverage of East Lake’s par-3 9th, par-3 15th, and par-5 18th closing hole in VR with an AR option available as well. In order to enjoy this content fans can watch it on Twitter, Periscope, the PGA TOUR mobile app and on the Samsung Gear VR via the PGA TOUR VR Live Oculus application. The remaining live coverage will run today from 1pm – 6pm (ET) and tomorrow at the same times.

To experience the AR cover, fans will need to download the PGA TOUR AR app to their device and then find a flat, horizontal surface on which to display the content. Once the model has loaded viewers will be able to select a player to watch and then enjoy their shot trails in AR. There are a number of different players and holes available to pick so make sure to try them all out in AR. For more information on the application and setup process, here over to the official website.

That is all for This Week In VR Sport. For more on immersive sport news keep reading VRFocus and remember to check back next week for another This Week In VR Sport.

Vuzix Completes FCC And EU CE Certification Processes For Their Blade Smart Glasses

Augmented reality (AR) technology company Vuzix has announced that it has completed, passed, and filed with the US Federal Communication Commission (FCC) all of the emission’s requirements for its next generation Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses.In additional to this, the company has also completed the European Union CE emission’s certification process related to the Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses.

Vuzix Blade 3000

Vuzix is a leading supplier of AR technologies, products, and smart glasses for consumer and enterprise markets with their Blade Smart Galsses being a widely recognised product within many sectors. With the news of their successful certification processes, the company is now one more step closer to deliver their next generation of AR smart glasses which will build on the already successful and solid foundation of their current offerings.

“Volume manufacturing of the Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses from our West Henrietta, NY facility has commenced.” said Paul Travers, President and Chief Executive Officer at Vuzix: “With FCC and EU certifications processes now complete we can commence broad shipping of our Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses to the application and enterprise Vuzix Blade Edge developer communities located within the USA, Canada and Europe,”

Vuzix

Recently Vuzix also highlighted their upcoming business developments including the expectation that revenues for 2018 will exceed those of 2017, with a number of factor influencing this boost. The company also has over 750 existing pilot schemes ongoing for the M300 smart glasses, with many others in the process of launching. As for orders, several existing customers have already placed follow-on orders and the company expects more to do so shortly.

Back in early June Vuzix also launched their developer center to provide resources for those looking to build applications using their smart glasses. This resource not only aims to get developers up and run with building for AR in as little time as possible. Once more, the Blade Smart Glasses Developer Center includes example code and projects, along with plenty of documentation, to ensure that even those will little experience building AR applications can still learn how to do so, opening up the doors to future developers and content creators.

As always, keep reading VRFocus to stay up to date on the latest from Vuzix.

Vuzix Highlights Upcoming Business Developments

Augmented reality (AR) smartglasses company Vuzix have become one of the most recognisable names in the enterprise-level AR industry, providing a number of businesses with AR technology. The company has issues a letter to its shareholders which provides an overview of what Vuzix expects to achieve in the near future.

Some of they key points in the letter concern business developments for the near term and what can be expected to happen over the next year.

Vuzix Blade 3000

Vuzix expects that revenues for 2018 will exceed those from 2017, with a number of factors influencing this boost in revenue.

The letter notes that there are over 750 existing pilot schemes ongoing for the M300 smartglasses, with many others in the process if launching. Several existing customers have either already placed follow-on orders, or are expected to do so shortly.

Many present customers and VIP partners have already surpassed their order totals for the M300, with many more expected to surpass 2017 order totals by the middle of 2018. The broadening footprint of the M300 across the world is also fuelling sales, as it becomes certified in new regions, such as Eastern Europe, South American and Asia.

The level of interest in both the M300 and Vuzix Blade smartglasses is expected to rise thanks to the integration of Amazon and Oracle cloud-based analytics, which will give companies new data sources to use.

Vuzix - Logo

Vuzix are also anticipating new incoming revenue streams with the launch of the Vuzix Blade and the Toshiba AR100, along with an increasing number of OEM contracts and provision for engineering services.

A number of recent reports and studies have shown that AR is a growth area, with many analysts predicting that business and enterprise use of AR technology will only continue to rise over the coming months and years.

As usual, VRFocus will keep you update on new developments in the AR industry.

10 New Companies Looking to Use Vuzix’ Waveguide Optics Technology

Vuzix Corporation, one of the leading suppliers of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technologies and products for consumer and enterprise markers, has revealed it is working with over a dozen new companies to explore new and exciting marker opportunists.

Vuzix - Logo

With this comes the news that ten new customers have entered Vuzix’ Project Planning Phase, meaning their have signed a Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and are actively performing due diligence of Vuzix and its waveguide optics technology for integration into their hardware roadmap. The outcome of these new companies working with Vuzix could be a number of new products, for both consumer and enterprise, that would benefit from Vuzix’ technology and create new market opportunities.

“Vuzix has spent years and invested significant dollars developing our advanced waveguides and the production process around them,” said Paul Travers, President and Chief Executive Officer at Vuzix. “We believe the fact that we can start volume manufacturing now and deliver them to select partners puts us in an immediate leadership position in AR market. Our ability to do so represents a tremendous value to Vuzix own products and any of the companies we decide to work with.  Vuzix waveguides and related technologies can offer fast  entry and a significant competitive edge to those OEM partners and as a result we expect will allow Vuzix to achieve premium margins over the available conventional bulky optics alternatives.”

Toshiba dynaEdge AR SmartGlasses

Vuzix have of course been bring their skills and experience to a partnership with Toshiba to develop the dynaEdge AR100 smart glasses which entered production earlier this month. Vuzix’ waveguide optics technology and display engines allow for applications to take advantage of the AR capatabllies and pack it all within small devices such as smart glasses. With a the recently demoed Vuzix Blade AR smart glasses, the company showcased how its solution can be made into a realiable form factor with impressive performance showing that the technology is capable of delivering outstanding results.

With more then a dozen companies now on board to utilize the technology into new products, the growth of Vuzix seems promising and the opportunities for AR applications have now expanded further. VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on Vuzix and its new partners in the future.

10 New Companies Looking to Use Vuzix’ Waveguide Optics Technology

Vuzix Corporation, one of the leading suppliers of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technologies and products for consumer and enterprise markers, has revealed it is working with over a dozen new companies to explore new and exciting marker opportunists.

Vuzix - Logo

With this comes the news that ten new customers have entered Vuzix’ Project Planning Phase, meaning their have signed a Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and are actively performing due diligence of Vuzix and its waveguide optics technology for integration into their hardware roadmap. The outcome of these new companies working with Vuzix could be a number of new products, for both consumer and enterprise, that would benefit from Vuzix’ technology and create new market opportunities.

“Vuzix has spent years and invested significant dollars developing our advanced waveguides and the production process around them,” said Paul Travers, President and Chief Executive Officer at Vuzix. “We believe the fact that we can start volume manufacturing now and deliver them to select partners puts us in an immediate leadership position in AR market. Our ability to do so represents a tremendous value to Vuzix own products and any of the companies we decide to work with.  Vuzix waveguides and related technologies can offer fast  entry and a significant competitive edge to those OEM partners and as a result we expect will allow Vuzix to achieve premium margins over the available conventional bulky optics alternatives.”

Toshiba dynaEdge AR SmartGlasses

Vuzix have of course been bring their skills and experience to a partnership with Toshiba to develop the dynaEdge AR100 smart glasses which entered production earlier this month. Vuzix’ waveguide optics technology and display engines allow for applications to take advantage of the AR capatabllies and pack it all within small devices such as smart glasses. With a the recently demoed Vuzix Blade AR smart glasses, the company showcased how its solution can be made into a realiable form factor with impressive performance showing that the technology is capable of delivering outstanding results.

With more then a dozen companies now on board to utilize the technology into new products, the growth of Vuzix seems promising and the opportunities for AR applications have now expanded further. VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on Vuzix and its new partners in the future.

Vuzix Replaces Old Beta Program For Blade Smartglasses With Three Level ‘Vuzix Blade Edge’ Program

In the immersive technologies space, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all that is going on. Developments move so fast, there is certainly never ever a case of there being no news at all going on. When it comes to where such updates come from, and which part of the immersive tech space they are in it (of course) varies a great deal. For some companies, studios, or developers, it can be many months if not whole seasons between hearing anything new. Magic Leap are a good example of this, although expect them to begin ratcheting up their own announcements as Magic Leap One nears reality.  At the other end of the spectrum are those companies that always seem to have an announcement up their sleeve. A new product, a new contract, a new partnership, a new release, etc, etc. These companies you’re always staggered have something else to say, they’re just so busy all the time.

Vuzix - Logo

Smart glasses manufacturer and augmented reality (AR) technologies developer Vuzix is one such company – in fact they’re likely the busiest of everyone based on how often we hear from them. January, thanks to this years CES event in Las Vegas, has already been full of Vuzix updates: Helping a visually impaired teenager to enhance their sight with a pair of the Vuzix M300’s. In the same ball park there was the reveal that they would be partnering with Luxexcel to provide 3D printed prescription lenses for their AR headsets. With the big announcement from CES being their team-up with Amazon to bring virtual assistant Alexa to their line.

Today though is the announcement of a brand new program connected with its Vuzix Blade product line. The ‘Vuzix Blade Edge’ program representing the second phase of the Vuzix Blade’s market launch and it also replaces the previous Beta developer kit be replaced which the company now notes is both sold out and closed.

“In order to fulfil the accelerating demand for early access to Blade hardware, Vuzix has introduced the Blade Edge program to better address the unique needs of developers, enterprise clients, and the general public.” Explains Vuzix in a statement. “The program is designed to allow for continued growth of the ecosystem of apps and solutions for Blade users, and to harness the excitement and engage early Blade fans and devotees.  Developers, enterprise organizations and consumer users may apply for one of the three exclusive and limited enrolment Blade Edge member groups.”

Vuzix Blade“This much larger second wave of early Blade hardware will not only provide a competitive ‘edge’ to the developers and enterprise companies accepted into the program, but will also foster a larger ecosystem of consumer and enterprise apps that will bring even more value to the Blade user community when the Blade becomes publicly available later this year.” Adds the company’s CEO and President Paul Travers.

The three groups are as follows:

Blade Edge Architect

Designed for the Developer community.  Accepted pre-orders will receive access to the Vuzix Blade SDK, emulator, technical specification updates and ultimately early Vuzix Blade hardware.  Vuzix Blade Architects will also receive exclusive access to Vuzix software engineers via a secure forum on the Vuzix website.  

Blade Edge @Work

Designed for Enterprise companies, solution providers and integrators. Members will receive access to the Vuzix Blade SDK, emulator, technical specification updates and ultimately early Vuzix Blade hardware.  Vuzix Blade Architects will also be assigned a Vuzix account manager where appropriate to ensure support through the development, pilot and deployment stages of their product.

Blade Edge Engage

Through this program individuals will be able to engage directly with Vuzix and other Blade Edge Engage members to share ideas, provide valuable feedback, and drive the early Blade application ecosystem. Engage members will also receive prioritize access to the first public Blade shipments.

More information can be found via the Vuzix websiteVRFocus will keep you appraised of any further developments within the Vuzix product line as well as elsewhere around the industry.

Vuzix Making Alexa-Enabled Smart Glasses, to Debut at CES 2018

The very first Alexa-enabled smart glasses are on their way, and making their debut at CES 2018, Las Vegas. Of course, it’s the enterprising young Vuzix who are taking the reigns and spearheading Alexa’s incorporation into augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) devices.

Amazon are of course eager to have Alexa integrated with as many smart devices as possible, so smart glasses and head-mounted displays (HMDs) are the next logical step. Amazon allows Alexa integration in third party products, and several tech manufacturers are using Alexa with their speakers and more, but this is the first time we’re seeing Alexa breach another reality.

An Amazon spokesman has said that they are; “excited about the potential of the glasses and the ability to bring Alexa to customers in a new way.”

It’s good news for Vuzix, who’s shares went up almost 8% after the news broke.

CES 2018, Las Vegas, will be the place where many new AR and VR products make their debut, with smart glasses being just one example of the kinds of interesting new products that’ll be making their way onto the market.

We’ll see Vuzix’s AR glasses with Alexa support before the summer of 2018, at a price point around $1,000 USD. Sound pricey? It is, but interestingly, Vuzix Chief Executive Officer Paul Travers has said they’re looking to get the price down to $500 USD by 2019. Promising, but should probably make early adopters understandably hesitant.

Travers believes Amazon won’t be content simply having Alexa integrated into a pair of third party smart glasses, after being asked if Amazon will make their own smart glasses, Travers says; “I think everyone is going to come out with glasses sooner or later” in a report according to Bloomberg.

It’s good to see the smart glasses market continue after Google Glass had a rough test launch. The mixed reception has taught startups and manufacturers what pitfalls to avoid and how to make a smart glasses product that has the potential to be both mainstream and useful for productivity fans.

We can’t wait to see more smart glasses and other tech make use of virtual assisstants like Alexa – especially as virtual assistants improve. For all the latest on virtual reality and more, stay on VRFocus.