Different types of augmented reality devices

Now, let’s examine some of the important features of AR devices and compare them to see which type of device we should select according to our requirements.

Display technology

One of the most important features considered while looking into an AR device is the display technology it uses as it directly affects the quality and realism of augmented content. Following are the display technologies used by different AR devices:

• Smart glasses: These glasses usually use Waveguide Displays or Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) Displays.

• Projectors: Projectors usually use technologies such as liquid crystal displays, digital light processors, laser and holographic projections. Some models also use LCOS.

• Mobile devices: Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) are usually used in mobile devices designed for AR.

• HMDs: Much like smart glasses, HMDs also use Waveguide Displays or Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) Displays.

Interaction methods

Interaction methods define how a user interacts with the virtual content generated by an AR device. Let's see how different devices do this.

• Smart glasses: Voice commands and gesture recognition are usually used to allow the user to interact with the virtual content in smart glasses. Some models also use touchpads and head and eye tracking sensors to increase interactivity. Other than this, some smart glasses can be connected to other mobile devices.

• Projectors: Projectors can be paired with external input devices such as hand-held controllers, tracking devices, cameras, and audio sensors. They can also be paired with touch screens to create better user experience.

• Mobile devices: Mobile devices use voice commands, touch screens, gesture recognition, motion tracking, and device orientation as interactivity methods. We can also combine them with external controllers.

• HMDs: Handheld controllers, voice commands, spatial tracking, and gaze-based interactions are used in HMDs to allow the user to interact with virtual content.

Processing power

Processing power is one of the key factors of augmented reality devices that users are interested in as its responsible for data processing and creating virtual content using different algorithms. The following table gives details about processors used in different AR devices:

• Smart glasses: Smart glasses use ARM-based processors such as Qualcomm Snapdragon or MediaTek chipsets. Its RAM ranges from 1GB to 4GB while built-in storage can range from 4 GB to 64 GB.

• Projectors: Projectors are usually used to display augmented reality content smoothly rather than processing information. Due to this, projectors don't usually have CPUs or GPUs but some of them include Digital Signal Processors or Field-Programmable Gate Arrays.

• Mobile devices: Mobile devices use ARM-based processors such as Qualcomm Snapdragon or Apple A-series with RAM ranging from 4 GB to 8 GB. Its built-in storage can go from 64 GB to 256 GB.

• HMDs: HMDs use specialized CPUs or SoCs built especially for AR devices and usually have RAM ranging from 4 GB to 8 GB. Storage capacity is not the main focus of HMDs due to which its storage is usually lower than smart glasses and mobile devices.

Quiz

Let's test our understanding of the concept with a short quiz.

Conclusion

Here's a table the information we learned about the devices in this Answer:

Augmented Reality (AR) devices, including smart glasses, projectors, mobile devices, and head-mounted displays (HMDs), offer unique features for immersive experiences by blending virtual and real worlds. When choosing an AR device, consider display technology, interaction methods, and processing power. As AR technology advances, more innovative and powerful devices will enhance our integration of digital information into daily life.