Unveiling the next form factor in computing: Our new product design!
You can only make a first impression once and we want ours to be killer! So, we have decided to build something entirely mind-blowing and new.
Our current focus is perfecting ergonomics. We want this to be a product you can comfortably wear while developing all day and we were not happy with the feedback from our earliest iterations. To solve this, we hired Rusty Reed, an ergonomics and production line specialist with over 20 years experience building glasses for Native, Orbus and Nike. To improve the ergonomics, we devoted substantial resources to develop a new industrial design, and we are pleased to reveal it today.
Latest working prototype of developer edition to be shipped to kickstarters
The new redesign has lengthened our delivery timeline by a few months. However, it means you will get a much better product because of all the new resources we have been devoting. The glasses will begin shipping this December and you will have them by January (except for those international orders with lengthened customs).
Our base hardware has arrived: we have over 600 optics units on site, and all the depth cameras to build the systems to fulfill our Kickstarter orders.
base hardware
Manufacturing & delivery plans
We want to share with you the inside details of what we are doing to bring you the future of computing by this December.
gantt chart from beginning of September to January. Click here for more detail
As you can see we will be very busy over the next few months making sure you get your glasses as soon as possible!
First we must finalise the conceptual design. (Already done!) We will than be turning the conceptual designs into mechanical CAD file designs used for prototyping. These files will be used for building prototypes, testing the prototypes and redesigning them until we validate that all the parts are correct. Once the CAD files are finalised we give those to the manufacturer to create the tooling plans for the injection moulding tools. The tooling designs are completed and the injection moulding tools are built. A very short run of parts of each tool is done. These are our “first shots”. Our first shots are reviewed for accuracy. Once perfecting everything and ensuring the tools accurately the tools are finished and production parts can than be made. Preparing your glasses for shipment.
Latest working prototypes!
We have a world class team of industrial designers, production line specialists and engineers who have put their heads together to redesign the physical product that will be the future of computing. But don’t just take our word for it, check them out!
Latest working prototype
Latest working prototype
Exploded view of CAD files for printing next iteration
new wireframes being worked on by our designer Martin
Close up of new wireframes
Latest press
“If it were 1976 and you had just met Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs at a conference would you have known that they were "the ones?" You know, the ones who would go on to change the world?” ~ Robert Scoble, after meeting the meta team.
https://plus.google.com/+Scobleizer/posts/LyVCDJdqTvU
FAQ
A lot of you have noticed and taken advantage of the live chat on our website,spaceglasses.com. We would like to answer publicly some of the most common questions.
Will Kickstarter backers be getting the developer edition or streamline?
Kickstarters backers are getting the new developer edition, shown on the top of this page, with an ergonomic and sleek design.
What apps are available?
We are working on a number of open source demo applications, such as metacraft, lightsabers, boxing and a few more surprises. We are currently preparing our app store for all the apps you developers will be making. With several hundred ideas already submitted, we are going to be funding 10 of the best for development! Submit your ideas at spaceglasses.com/killer_apps
How is this different than Google Glass?
meta is true see through augmented reality. With binocular display and an array of sensors to perceive the real world and integrate it with the digital world, including a depth sensor, rgb camera, and IMU. We create the Ironman like interface with a natural form of input and display, allowing the world around you to become the computing interface. At half the price, we offer double the technology. Google Glass with the Mirror API is not true augmented reality. It is a notification machine, a monocle display that does not recognize real world objects or support 3D objects and 3D interfaces.
What is the difference between meta 1 developer and meta 1 streamline?
The only difference is in design and weight. Both share the same technical specifications.
What will be in the SDK?
Multi-marker detection and tracking, feature-based tracking, featureless surface detection, featureless surface morphing, real-time 3D scene segmentation, 3D stereoscopic display (side-by-side), hand tracking, hand gesture recognition, head-tracking with 9-DOF IMU integration (based on accelerometer, gyro, and digital compass). Sample code of demo applications. Samples codes include specific tutorials of how to create your first Augmented Reality applications with our SDK.
What Operating systems does it run on?
We currently support Windows 7 & 8 for development and are looking supporting other OS’s. We are not currently supporting Parallels or VMware.
Does it have wireless capabilities?
The meta 1 Developer Edition does not have a radio, but can take advantage of the wireless card in your tethered computer. The meta1 is an interface, it is not intended or available as a stand alone device. Subsequent version will have full wireless capabilities.
The kickstarter fulfilment team
Cheers, Brennan Hatton & the meta team.
