#1 - Magic Leap
For years, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) have been on the brink of revolutionizing technology as we know it. In the operating theater, nothing should be left to chance- so it’s wonderful news that Magic Leap 2 augmented reality headset has been granted IEC 60601 certification. This means that this cutting-edge technology is not only certified for use in clinical settings, but nowadays, surgeons can also rely on its performance and accuracy in the operation room.
Magic Leap and their collaborator SentiAR have been instrumental in designing a cutting-edge software system for medical personnel. With this powerful tool, surgeons and clinicians can seamlessly view live clinical data and images without ever averting their gaze from the patient. What’s more incredible is that it even helps with complicated operations such as threading a catheter into someone’s heart by providing an augmented 3D map within the physician’s direct line of sight!
#2 - Lumus AR glasses
One of the most talked about devices at CES 2023 was the Lumus Z-Lens. This pair of Google Glasses-like AR glasses may be a bit bulky, but their bold purple hue makes them easily distinguishable from ordinary eyewear. Unfortunately, at this point, Lumus is only offering the technology behind these glasses — not the glasses themselves — as they are still in prototype form.
The revolutionary wavelength guide (or waveguide) technology offers the unique capability of emitting and manipulating projections from the upper corners of eyeglass frames. Subsequently, the lenses shift these projections, so they appear in your field of vision, allowing you to observe a comprehensive projection with just one eye open.
#3 - TCL Joins the VR Scene
In a huge surprise to many, TCL stunned attendees at this year’s show by revealing an amazing trifecta of devices. Even though people were expecting HTC to make big waves, it was TCL that wow-ed everyone with their exciting announcement.
NXTWear S glasses stand out from the pack as a lightweight, head-mounted virtual display for your mobile device or gaming console. They cover an ever-growing segment of not-quite-augmented reality eyewear that can be easily acquired at any given moment.
TCL unveiled two exciting AR and VR devices, the TCL RayNeo X2 glasses. At first glance, they appear to be traditional eyeglasses but are actually a full-fledged augmented reality experience powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR 2 Extended Reality 2 core and Micro LED waveguide optics. With these glasses, you can translate foreign text in real-time or find your way around unfamiliar cities with ease.
TCL’s NXTWear V headset is a full-scale VR solution that could revolutionize the industry if it goes from concept to reality. Boasting amazing features such as just 236 grams of weight and 1512ppi pixel density, this product holds incredible potential.
#4 - Holoride In-Car VR Experiences
Despite the potential for motion sickness, Holoride has surpassed expectations with their invention of “Elastic Content”. This technology reliably maps real-world motions to in-game movements, resulting in a surprisingly comfortable ride compared to what one would expect. At this year’s CES event, they unveiled Retrofit representing an inventive way to bring immersive virtual reality experiences into any car – and it did not disappoint!
Holoride’s Retrofit device, barely weighing a mere 8 ounces, is designed to attach to your windshield with an effortless suction cup mount. It connects easily to any virtual reality headset through Bluetooth and 14 hours of rechargeable battery power, delivering the necessary information for immersive experiences. If you’re interested in trying out this revolutionary tech experience yourself, then find Holoride’s online shop, where you can purchase the kit that comes with an HTC VIVE Flow Headset or buy just the standalone unit at only $199.
#5 - HTC's VIVE XR Elite
After much anticipation, the VIVE XR Elite finally debuted, and it did not disappoint. This innovative headset boasts an array of unique attributes never seen before in AR and VR devices – from its modular design that offers eyeglass-style or traditional VR fit to adjustable lenses that benefit those who wear glasses by providing more precise vision. The long-awaited unveiling of the VIVE XR Elite showcased features many have been eagerly awaiting.
The headset’s price of $1,100 places it well beneath similarly featured headsets from its competitors, such as the Meta Quest Pro. Though lacking eye and face tracking (which HTC plans to introduce via a peripheral), this cost reduction puts it within the range that consumers have already expressed willingness to pay for past models like the VIVE.
