Sony Kit Looks To Turn Any Glasses Into Google Glass

Mike Moore,
sonyglasswear

Detachable module can turn any eyewear, including sunglasses or goggles, into smart glasses

Sony has thrown its hat into the ring of Google Glass competitors with the launch of a new tool which it says can turn any kind of eyewear into smart glasses.

The company has developed an attachable Single-Lens Display Module which can be clipped on to various forms of glasses, including fashionable lenses, goggles, and sunglasses.

The module is comprised of a control board including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi sensors, a processor and other components live, along with a 0.23 inch screen featuring a 640×400 OLED microdisplay which sits in a small sub-window towards the edge of your vision.

sony glasses unitSporty

Sony is planning to show off the module at the CES electronics show in January, including a concept model called SmartEyeglass Attach, and sees sports, work and entertainment as the main target markets.

For example, golfers could use the device to access course maps or weather information, and sports coaches could use the tool to analyse training and performance data.

With this in mind, the company says that it plans to provide partner organisations with a software development kit (SDK) to create and develop their own applications.

Sony’s module is the latest in a series of competitors that have emerged to challenge Google Glass in the months since its release. Reports last month suggested that Huawei was planning to launch a similar device under its new Honor brand. It was also reported earlier this year that Lenovo was planning to release a Google Glass competitor, as the world’s largest PC manufacturer prepared a move into the wearable technology market.

Google made its smart glasses available to purchase in the UK in July for £1,000, and a range of business and organisations have looked to adopt the device as part of a move to enrich their customer experience, including the likes of Virgin Atlantic and the Dubai Police Force.

However, Google Glass is still viewed with suspicion by many law enforcement agencies, and has fallen foul of the law on several occasions, with the company admitting it needs to work with governments around the world to agree regulation on the device.

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