Google ha sicuramente stupito tutti con l’annuncio del suo progetto Glass, ma non è l’unica realtà al lavoro sui computer indossabili. Olympus, nonostante non navighi certo in cattive acque, pare da tempo al lavoro su questo tipo di tecnologia e ha recentemente annunciato MEG4.0, un progetto simile a Glass che richiede però la presenza di un paio di occhiali.

MEG4.0 è infatti un prototipo pensato per adattarsi anche alle esigenze di chi, come me, porta un paio di occhiali da vista. Chi non soffre di problemi agli occhi può acquistare un supporto apposito per l’unità che pesa meno di 30g e ha un display QVGA (320×240) per mostrare le informazioni. Il dispositivo si connette tramite Bluetooth 2.1 ad altri dispositivi come smartphone e tablet; Olympus pensa a MEG4.0 come ad un semplice display aggiuntivo per lo smartphone, con il quale si interfaccia per ottenere sia la capacità elaborativa che la connettività ad Internet.

Il prototipo attuale può fornrie fino a 8 ore di uso intermittente o 2 ore di uso non-stop. Il target è l’utente comune, stando alle parole di Olympus, ma non ci sono nè date nè prezzi a disposizione.

Qui sotto trovate il comunicato stampa, tradotto in inglese dal giapponese.

[spoiler title=”Comunicato stampa”]

Developed a prototype of the wearable display

Cooperation with the smartphone also allows

Olympus Corporation (President: Hiroyuki Sasa) has developed the ※ 1 “(Meg 4.0) MEG4.0” ultra-compact wearable display prototype can be used in everyday life. Equipped with Bluetooth ®, such as smart phones and wireless connection can be. In addition, at the same time to achieve a compact, lightweight, low power consumption, was also enables continuous use for a long time.

The Company has a research and development of wearable display than ever before. “MEG4.0” the newly developed prototype is that brings together the technology developed to date. ※ 2 The adoption of our own pupil division optical system see-through, you can see the display does not obstruct the visibility of the outside world naturally. In addition, the order to increase the utilization efficiency of light of the display panel, that achieves high brightness remains low power consumption, the visibility of the outdoors has been improved.

Consider the use in everyday life, we can combine the design mechanism and not easily detachable to glasses, of excellent wear by optimizing the balance weight, discomfort. Rather than a mere display, also has a built-direction acceleration sensor, interface and its application as a system using these operations, deployment to a wide range of applications in combination with GPS is possible.
※ 1 Code name of the prototype
※ 2 Optical see-through technology is our pupil division optical system has been adopted to wearable display. To display the image in the optical system of the width of the rod about half of pupil diameter, the outside view is almost 100% secure. In addition, since the light of the display panel is used without waste, was a bright screen display can be achieved with low power consumption.
The main features

Assumes a long-term use in daily life, realizing a compact, lightweight, low power consumption
Such as smart phones can be equipped with wireless connections with Bluetooth ®
Proprietary optical technology, ensure the visibility of both the display and the outside world
A built-in acceleration sensor orientation, can be applied to a wide range of applications[/spoiler]