Imagine wearing a pair of glasses that look like an ordinary person, but you can see virtual information in the real world. Navigation arrows appear on the street to guide you, restaurant menus pop up on the table, and you can even have a face-to-face conversation with friends from thousands of miles away. This is not a scene from a science fiction movie, but a picture of the future brought about by AR (augmented reality) glasses. But how far is that future? Can AR glasses really be the next world-changing tech product?
With these questions in mind, we had the pleasure of interviewing Professor Qiu Min of Westlake University. As an authoritative expert in the field of AR, Professor Qiu unveiled the mystery of AR glasses for us and explained the challenges faced by this technology. Let's hear from the experts!
First of all, we have to ask: what exactly are AR glasses? Why is it considered the next technological revolution?
Professor Qiu explained: "AR glasses are essentially a device that superimposes virtual information onto the real world. Unlike VR (Virtual Reality), which we are familiar with, AR is not completely immersed in the virtual world, but adds a digital layer of information while preserving the real world. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with information, impacting how we work, learn, and live. "
Sounds cool, right? But you may ask, if AR technology is so powerful, why don't we see it popularized on a large scale now?
"Although AR technology has been developed for many years, it will take 3-5 years before it can truly enter the mass market. This is mainly due to several key technical challenges faced by AR glasses. "
So, what exactly are these challenges? Professor Qiu listed them for us:
Optics: AR glasses require a high-quality optical system that can present clear, bright virtual images while also guaranteeing real-world visibility. Current technology makes it difficult to achieve this in thin and light spectacle frames.
Computing power: AR applications require massive computing power to handle complex graphics rendering and spatial positioning. How to integrate a powerful enough processor into a small pair of glasses without compromising on wearing comfort is a big challenge.
Battery life: High-performance AR glasses require a lot of power, but existing battery technology is difficult to provide long enough battery life while being miniaturized.
Interaction: How to achieve natural and intuitive human-computer interaction without traditional keyboards and touch screens is also a problem to be solved.
Privacy and security: AR glasses may collect a large amount of user data, and how to protect user privacy and data security is a part of technology development that cannot be ignored.
After listening to these challenges, you may think that AR glasses are still far away. But is that really the case? Let's take a look at the layout of the tech giants in this space.
Apple has been rumored to be developing AR glasses, and although they have not yet been officially released, their AR capabilities on the iPhone and iPad have already demonstrated their technical prowess. Although Google's early Google Glass project failed, they did not give up and turned their focus to enterprise AR applications. Although Microsoft's HoloLens is large, it has found application scenarios in industrial design, remote collaboration, and other fields.
Does the continued investment of these tech giants mean that AR glasses will really become the next revolutionary product?
Professor Qiu is cautiously optimistic: "The investment of large companies has indeed promoted the progress of technology, but we also need to recognize that there is still a long way to go before AR glasses can truly become mainstream consumer products. "
So, in which areas are AR glasses most likely to achieve a breakthrough first?
"In the short term, AR glasses may be the first to be applied in some specific professional fields. For example, in industrial design, designers can intuitively see 3D models through AR glasses; In the medical field, doctors can obtain real-time patient information during surgery; In the field of education, AR can make abstract knowledge more visual. "
It sounds promising, but you may ask: these professional applications are still far away from our ordinary consumers, can AR glasses really enter our daily lives?
"Although it will take time for full-featured AR glasses to be developed, we may first see some 'smart glasses' with relatively simple functions enter the market," said Professor Qiu. For example, glasses with integrated displays and cameras can be used for simple functions such as receiving notifications and taking photos. These products are likely to emerge in the next 2-3 years as entry-level products that provide consumers with AR experiences. "
Speaking of which, you may be thinking: since AR glasses are so powerful, will they replace our smartphones?
In this regard, Professor Qiu gave a possible unexpected answer: "In the foreseeable future, it will be difficult for AR glasses to completely replace smartphones. There are several reasons for this: First, the portability and versatility of mobile phones are difficult for AR glasses to surpass in the short term. Secondly, many people are used to the way they use their phones, and it takes time to completely change their usage habits. Finally, mobile phones and AR glasses may form a complementary relationship, rather than a substitute relationship. "
So, what is the relationship between AR glasses and smartphones?
"We may see a trend of 'co-evolution'. AR glasses may take on some specific functions, such as navigation, information display, etc., while mobile phones continue to be the primary computing and communication device. In the future, we may see an 'ecosystem' of AR glasses, smartphones, smartwatches, and other devices that do their own roles and work together. "
After listening to Professor Qiu's analysis, do you have a new understanding of AR glasses? But you may still have a question: as ordinary consumers, how should we view AR technology now?
Professor Qiu gave his advice: "For ordinary consumers, there is no need to rush to buy AR devices just yet. But you can pay more attention to the development of this technology and try some AR applications, such as AR games on mobile phones or AR shopping experiences. This allows you to gradually become familiar with AR technology and prepare for possible large-scale applications in the future. "
So, what advice does Professor Qiu have for students or entrepreneurs who are interested in entering the AR field?
"AR is an interdisciplinary field that requires knowledge of computer vision, optics, human-computer interaction, and more. If you are interested in this field, you can start with these basic disciplines, but also pay attention to the application scenarios of AR and think about how to combine technology with actual needs. In addition, participating in some AR projects or internships is also a good learning opportunity. "
After listening to Professor Qiu's analysis, do you have a new understanding of AR glasses? It's full of possibilities and challenges. Perhaps, it is this contradiction that makes AR technology so fascinating.
As tech enthusiasts, we need to be both enthusiastic and rational. It will take time to verify what the future of AR glasses will be. But what is certain is that this technology is bound to have a profound impact on our lives.
What are your thoughts on the future of AR glasses? Feel free to share your views in the comments section. Let's witness the development of this technology that has the potential to change the world!