Vuzix, a supplier of video
eyewear and smart glasses products in the consumer, commercial, and
entertainment markets, has been awarded the remaining ~$75,000 phase I Option
and a ~$680,000 phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from
the Office of Naval Research.
The SBIR, entitled “Head
Worn Display (“HWD”) Augmented Reality for Military Training Applications,” is
to develop the thin see-through waveguide-based optics and display engines
fixed in a pair of goggles to superimpose computer-generated information on an
individual’s view of the real world.
Phase II of this SBIR will
be to develop the optics and display engines and partner with Six15
Technologies, a provider of rugged, high-resolution HMDs and OEM optoelectronic
module manufacturing, to integrate those optics into a standard pair of HMDs.
Augmented reality technology
places virtual computer-generated objects into a person’s field of view,
serving a variety of purposes, including training applications. Though the
commercial sector is rapidly developing augmented reality applications for
smart phones, a consumer-grade HWD is needed for serious military training
applications. Currently, one of the biggest challenges to this technology in
dismounted applications is the head worn display. There is a need for augmented
reality HWDs that have the form factor of sunglasses or ballistic goggles and
can operate for hours without needing to be recharged, says Vuzix.
Follow-on phases of the
award, which are expected to be valued at significantly higher dollar value,
will develop field deployable solutions with larger field of views that can be
put to work in the simulation and training needs of the U.S. Navy.
Paul Travers, president of
Vuzix, in the news release stated, “The engineering team at Vuzix demonstrated
an in-depth command of the technical and development challenges for the
requirements of this award. Our technology showed the greatest innovation and
the ability to provision displays to meet the see through and wide field of
view requirements of the Navy’s program.”
For more information visit
www.vuzix.com
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