Forbes: $500 AR Smart Glasses Improve Athletes' Workouts With Virtual Display And Voice Activation

The first pair of AR smart glasses made especially for fitness fanatics have finally gone on sale, allowing joggers, cyclists, and triathletes to train without the distraction of a physical device screen.

Made by Kopin, the Solos AR smart glasses are designed to "inform and inspire" athletes and fitness fanatics alike, helping them to smash their full potential when out and about.

The Solos AR specs give users the freedom to use a fitness dashboard without interrupting their... [+]

 SOLOS

Costing $500, they don't come cheap, but it's the first time that a manufacturer has been able to bring this technology to market.

First shown off at CES in Las Vegas in January this year, the Solos smart glasses are compatible with iOS and Android smartphones and Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches and include integrated music, group communication, interchangeable lenses, and an adjustable nose piece for added customization.

Solos said the glasses were made for cyclists, triathletes, runners and other outdoor enthusiasts and is why the system features critical assistance, such as turn-by-turn route directions, as well as information meant to keep an athlete focused and aware. The glasses remove the need to look down, breaking stride and losing focus, and allows users get the data they need right when they need it through a heads-up Pupil display.

This is perhaps the device's most unique feature. The Pupil display is said to enable see-through and see-around vision while casting a large virtual screen that features bright, high-resolution, full-color graphics. This display measures less than 4mm in height, the size of a human pupil, and the screen provides the user with a sunlight-readable image to maximize visual clarity and provide a safe experience.

Solos said the display also enables a safer training experience, allowing athletes to view important performance metrics while keeping their eyes on the road or trail.

The Solos specs feature voice control so users don't need to prod or poke the device in order for it... [+]

 SOLOS

Voice control is also another neat - and essential - feature here. It means users can command the glasses using just their voice to bring relevant metrics into view, make phone calls or execute other functions. 

“Solos smart glasses were designed to balance style, comfort, and function and provide the maximum value to athletes,” said the firm's director of performance wearables, Ernesto Martinez.

“[The glasses] enable athletes to be focused in their sports while accessing key performance data, communicating with others, and even enjoying music. From the early support of elite Olympic athletes to the growing adoption by a broader athletic community — now selling it to aspiring athletes — this product aims to positively impact the future of sports technology and the evolving field of augmented reality.”

The Solos specs are available now for $499 (£375) on the company's official webstore. However, UK customers will have to pay an additional $30 (£23) international shipping charge, making a total of £398.

Source: Forbes