Latest news with #augmentedreality
Auto Blog
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Next-Gen Cockpit: Is a $3,000 Infotainment Upgrade Worth It?
Car Interiors Are Becoming the New Digital Playground What if your car's windshield could outsmart your smartphone—and turn rush hour into a front-row seat at a digital light show? Imagine this: In January 2024, CES attendees queued up not for a glimpse of the latest supercar, but for a seat inside the Valeo and Sennheiser ImagIn demo car—a rolling sound-and-light show that would make Pink Floyd's lighting director weep with envy. The message was clear: the cockpit is the new concert hall, and infotainment is no longer content to play second fiddle to horsepower. As Proust might have swapped madeleines for dashboard projections, today's drivers crave more than mere transport—they want immersion, a digital cocoon that blurs the line between the road and the realm of possibility. The old dashboard, with its buttons and knobs, is fading like AM radio static. In its place: augmented reality (AR) overlays, gesture controls, and voice-activated everything—a symphony of senses orchestrated by silicon and code. Source: Audi The Third-Person Cinematic Scene Picture a rainy Tuesday, somewhere on the I-405. A commuter's sedan glides through traffic, windshield streaked with city light. On the dash, navigation arrows float above the asphalt, projected in AR, gently nudging the driver toward the correct exit — no more squinting at tiny screens or deciphering cryptic beeps. In the back, a passenger waves a hand to skip a song, the gesture picked up by sensors embedded in the headliner. The car responds, seamlessly, like a butler who's read your mind. But is this digital theater a revolution in driver focus, or just a $3,000 emoji upgrade? From Buttons to Swiping Air: The Rise of Gesture and Voice The tactile era of dials and switches is being replaced by a new choreography: gesture, touch, and voice. Luxury automakers have already rolled out multimodal human-machine interfaces (HMIs), blending touchscreens, haptic feedback, and proximity sensors. The global automotive Human-Machine Interface (HMI) market reached $23.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a 12.8% CAGR from 2025 to 2034. This growth is fueled by demand for advanced user experiences, integration of augmented reality displays, voice and gesture controls, and AI-driven personalization. Automakers are rolling out systems that blend touchscreens, haptic feedback, gesture recognition, and voice control. For example, Continental launched a fully integrated HMI platform in February 2025 that combines gesture, voice, and touch into a seamless interface for electric and autonomous vehicles. Gentex in March 2025 released a next-gen smart rearview mirror with voice-activated controls and AI personalization, targeting both EV and luxury markets. The adoption of AR head-up displays and multimodal input is a key trend, with new systems designed to adapt content and controls based on driving mode and passenger preferences The goal? To create systems that are instantly intuitive — so you can adjust the climate or queue up a playlist without taking your eyes off the road, or your hands off the wheel for more than a flicker. Sidebar for the skeptics: Yes, sometimes the system mistakes your emphatic storytelling for a command to call your mother-in-law. But the tech is learning — fast. 'Augmented Reality: The Windshield as Canvas' AR head-up displays (HUDs) are moving from concept to curb. Audi's latest system projects navigation cues—arrows, lane guidance, even hazard warnings—directly onto the windshield, layered over the real world. Envisics, with backing from global giants, is developing holographic waveguide HUDs for production by 2026, promising a wide field of view and razor-sharp clarity even in full sun. The new nanophotonic lenses from AllFocal Optics, co-developed with Zeiss, beam information directly to the retina, ensuring that every driver—glasses or not—gets a perfectly focused readout. The upshot? Less distraction, more confidence, and a user interface that feels more like a sci-fi film than a spreadsheet. Source: Brian Iselin Immersion for All: The Multisensory Cabin Valeo and Sennheiser's ImagIn system is a harbinger: immersive soundscapes, ambient lighting, and projected content turn the car into a personalized lounge. Gesture-detection software and smart surfaces mean every passenger can interact with the system, not just the driver. The car becomes a shared experience — each ride a chance to curate your own digital atmosphere, whether you're crawling through rush hour or cruising the Pacific Coast Highway. Software Eats the Dashboard The shift to software-defined infotainment means over-the-air updates can add new features or fix bugs without a trip to the dealer. AI-driven personalization learns your habits — favorite routes, playlists, even your preferred cabin temperature — making each drive feel bespoke. And as 5G connectivity becomes standard, streaming, gaming, and real-time traffic updates are as fast as your home Wi-Fi. So yes, the age of immersive infotainment is here, and it's rewriting the rituals of the road. But as we surrender more senses to the silicon orchestra, the question lingers: Will all this digital dazzle deepen our connection to the drive, or just make the car another screen to scroll? For now, at least, the ride has never sounded—or looked—so good. About the Author Brian Iselin View Profile
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Rokid's new AR glasses are pretty much a face-hugging laptop in disguise
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Rokid's AR Spatial glasses ditch the traditional desk and toss a massive 300-inch virtual screen right in your face. At just 75 grams and made with aerospace-grade materials, the Max 2 glasses are built for long hauls, and they play nice with prescription eyewear. Powered by Rokid's own YodaOS Master, the system handles multiple windows and apps without the lag or bugginess you'd expect from typical AR gear. Rokid today released the AR Spatial glasses that aim to blend AR into your everyday life, ditching the usual desk setup and changing how (and where) you get things done. AR Spatial's setup pairs the Max 2 AR glasses with the new Station 2 hub, and together they whip up a giant 300-inch virtual screen that hangs in your line of sight. Rokid's announcement says it's built with the always-on-the-go crowd in mind, so it might just be useful for remote workers juggling apps or anyone tired of squinting at a cramped laptop screen in busy spots. The Max 2 AR glasses are lightweight at just 75 grams and tough enough thanks to aerospace-grade materials. They're comfy enough to wear for hours, and if you've got prescription glasses, they'll fit right over them without a hitch. These AR glasses also have built-in diopter adjustment from 0.00D to -6.00D for nearsighted users, plus customizable pupillary distance so everything lines up just right. AR Spatial skips the usual AR headache and just works with what you already have, like your phone, tablet, or laptop. If you want the full desktop experience, just hook up a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and you've got a portable setup that actually feels familiar. Rokid's AR Spatial runs on its own custom OS, YodaOS Master. You can juggle multiple virtual windows, jump between apps without lag, and skip the usual slowdowns that drag other AR glasses down. Rokid's AR Spatial has already made the rounds at big-name events like CES 2025 and Milan Design Week. It's not the cheapest gear out there, but at $648, the AR Spatial bundle brings a lot to the table. If you want to knock the price down, just punch in LAUNCH70 at checkout and it drops to $578. You can snag it now from Rokid's site or one of its retail partners.
Zawya
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Zawya
Snap Spectacles: Dior and Louis Vuitton usher in a new era of luxury in Augmented Reality
Dubai – On the occasion of the 2025 edition of Crafted for Luxury, Snap's exclusive event dedicated to the luxury industry, Snap unveils the first augmented reality experiences developed for its AR glasses, Spectacles, by the Houses of Christian Dior Couture and Louis Vuitton. A world first that positions these Maisons as pioneers in creatively exploring immersive technologies for the luxury industry. Christian Dior Couture: Between Astrology and Augmented Craftsmanship To mark the launch of its Lucky Collection, Christian Dior Couture, Snap, and creative studio Playar have designed a unique activation blending craftsmanship, astrology, and augmented reality. This experience, available exclusively on Spectacles, allows you to select a card linked to astrological signs, which is then fragmented into four shards. Guided by the house's iconic bee—symbolizing strength and vitality—these pieces are virtually sewn back together, weaving a link between tradition and modernity, before the card comes to life, revealing the full symbolism of the selected astrological sign. An interactive and sensory experience at the crossroads of craftsmanship and technological innovation, designed exclusively for Spectacles. Louis Vuitton: An ode to orange blossom, a summer anthem in Augmented Reality Louis Vuitton, for its part, celebrates the reissue of its iconic fragrance Sun Song, from the Les Parfums de Cologne collection, with an AR experience evoking Louis Vuitton universe and the journey of ingredients. Created by Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, the scent blends orange blossom, neroli, petitgrain, lemon, and musks for a radiant composition. A true scent melody that announces, enhances, and prolongs the summer season. This iconic fragrance is at the heart of a new Spectacles experience developed in collaboration with creative studio Busterwood. Spectacles lets you and your friends interact together with the fragrance's key ingredients, explore its vibrant visual universe, and bring Louis Vuitton's symbols to life in 3D. A multiplayer, collaborative experience designed as a sensorial and aesthetic immersion into the world of Sun Song. A Shared Vision of Innovation and Creativity This collaboration marks a first in the world of luxury: Christian Dior Couture and Louis Vuitton are the first Maisons to design experiences exclusively for Spectacles. True to their heritage of excellence and artisanal craftsmanship, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior Couture reaffirm their roles as pioneers in adopting augmented reality technologies. These experiences on Spectacles embody a new form of creative exploration and augmented storytelling—where technology enhances emotion. 'This collaboration with such iconic Maisons as Christian Dior Couture and Louis Vuitton perfectly illustrates Snap and Spectacles' ability to support the luxury industry in reaching ever more innovative, bold, and personalized dimensions. By combining the unique historical heritage of these Maisons with the cutting-edge technologies we are developing—especially immersive augmented reality and Spectacles—we are opening up new avenues for customer experience. This synergy allows luxury to be experienced in a completely new way while deepening emotional engagement with the brands. At Snap, we are proud to be at the heart of this revolution, redefining the codes of luxury for a connected and discerning generation.' Geoffrey Perez, Global Head of Luxury, Snap Inc. The fifth generation of Spectacles, Snap's new augmented reality glasses, allows you to use Lenses and explore the world in a completely new way—together with your friends. Spectacles run on Snap OS, our groundbreaking new operating system designed to enhance the way people naturally interact with the world around them. About Snap Inc. Snap is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. The Company's three core products are Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world; Lens Studio, an augmented reality platform that powers AR across Snapchat and other services; and its AR glasses, Spectacles.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
‘Bring the digital into your world': U of R students share augmented reality projects
University students are sharing their augmented reality (AR) projects with families at the Saskatchewan Science Centre. Created by U of R students, the AR design allows people to view digital illustrations in their current environment by scanning a QR code. 'Augmented reality is like Pokémon Go. That's one of the more common examples that people tend to understand,' explained Evie Johnny Ruddy, assistant professor of Creative Technologies and Design at the U of R. 'Whereas with VR, you put a headset on and you're completely in the digital world, AR allows you to bring the digital into your world. It looks like the digital would be in this space with us.' Five different projects were showcased, including The Eternal Walking Path, Nature Hunt, Poetry Pathway, Escape the Cabin, and the Absence of Space. Shelby Kerbs, creative technologist of Nature Hunt, said her project focuses on connecting nature to urban areas. 'It's a scavenger hunt where you're going to find basically little snow piles around. Each time you click on one, in your AR experience, you're going to get a Saskatchewan perennial plant that pops up and you're going to learn about it,' she said. Augmented reality University of Regina (U of R) students are sharing their augmented reality (AR) projects with families at the Saskatchewan Science Centre. (Sierra D'Souza Butts/CTV News) Based on her passion for plants, Kerbs said the project was an opportunity to share her interest with others. 'I did a focus on plants specifically for my own personal interest. I've been a garden centre worker for a long time and I have always been interested in plants,' she expressed. '….I was trying to make a scavenger hunt in the sense that you're trying to find plants in urban spaces specifically like Victoria Park, downtown Regina. You're going to try and find plants [in the city] instead of just seeing always grass and trees.' Students being able to share their projects with the public was part of the 'experiential learning component' to the Creative Technologies and Design class. Despite being similar to VR, Ruddy shared the key differences, stating augmented experiences help provide a visual realistic point of view. 'I love AR because you can change your environment with digital artworks and content. You can bring it into your own space, and it looks like it's in the space with you,' Ruddy said. 'It can change the way you see the world around you. It can be really immersive, just as immersive as VR. I hope people try out the projects. I hope that they find them enjoyable and exciting and that they gain a better understanding of what AR is.'
Finextra
17-06-2025
- Business
- Finextra
Alipay embeds payments into AR glasses
Alipay has integrated QR code payments into augmented reality glasses from Chinese outfit Rockid to enable users to pay for products instore by looking at the label. 2 Over 250,000 units of Rokid Glasses have already been ordered, integrated with Alipay's digital payment technology for AR glasses. After linking their Alipay accounts to the Rockid app, users enable voice verification to initiate and confirm the purchases after scanning the merchant's Alipay QR code. Alipay says transactions complete in seconds vs. 20-30 seconds for phone-based QR payments. 'Equipping Rokid Glasses with payment capabilities brings users a smoother and more intuitive experience, while also ushering the AI glasses industry into the era of payment," says Zhu Mingming, founder and CEO of Rokid. "Behind this innovation is close collaboration with Alipay on both payment and risk technologies. Looking ahead, we will continue to explore new experiences together.' He believes that in the coming years, the technology could enable people to complete transactions simply by looking at or gesturing toward a product, and support interactive product discovery — letting users access real-time information, virtual try-ons, or personalized recommendations to create an immersive shopping experience.
