10 ms·

Smart sunglasses with lenses displaying real-time data for cyclers

taneq 5y ago
Nice advertorial. ;) I’m intrigued by their focus on cyclists (although I guess few groups have as much interest in spending disposable income on displaying their devotion to their sport) when, if these are all they’re made out to be, they’d be a pretty cool phone HUD for pretty much anything.
- michaelt 5y ago
  Perhaps their tech is limited to displaying, say, 5 characters? No good for AR video gaming, or reading instant messaging. But for sport applications, it's enough to show the user the time, or their speed, or their wattage, or their heartrate.
- bigbluedots 5y ago
  Cyclists are obsessed with real-time data - how fast am I going, what is my power output right now, which heart rate and power zones am I in at the moment,.etc etc. All this is normally displayed on a cycling computer, but if you have a HUD, even better..especially as most already wear sunglasses of some kind to avoid getting insects and other things in the eyes.
- edh649 5y ago
  I've seen swimming googles with the same idea around (virtually in adverts, not in real life) https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/09/24/form-smart-swim-goggles-review/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/09...
- KaiserPro 5y ago
  this type of Cyclist really loves gadgets and will pay >$500 for sensors to measure how much power they are producing. They also are well adapted/conditioned to wear ridiculous sunglasses big enough to accept the optics to run a HUD.
endisneigh 5y ago
what problem does this solve vs. a smartphone mounted on the handlebars?
- jdavis703 5y ago
  Much more convenient. I’m absentminded. I’ve left a GoPro on my bike and had it stolen (totally my fault, this was in the middle of a big city). If I mounted my smartphone in certain I’d repeat the mistake. However, I’m not going to loose wearable glasses. And while I don’t find the preference information useful, this would be great for getting GPS directions.
- TheCondor 5y ago
  Smartphones aren’t very aero.
- nradov 5y ago
  As the article states, you can keep your eyes on the road instead of glancing down. And most cyclists who would potentially buy a device like this use a dedicated bike computer, not a smartphone.
  - endisneigh 5y ago
    yes I read that. can't you just look down when it's safe?
    - tokai 5y ago
      Not really, but you might get bullied other cyclists/fans. https://chrisfroomelookingatstems.tumblr.com/ https://chrisfroomelookingatstems.tumblr.com/
    - jhrmnn 5y ago
      It is a problem at higher speeds (>40 km/h) so in sprints or more typically in downhills. In downhills live data aren’t really that useful. If it showed a live map, that would be very useful.
AndrewThrowaway 5y ago
https://us.engoeyewear.com/pages/how-it-works https://us.engoeyewear.com/pages/how-it-works Would have thought that "how it works" would explain the optics part as obviously just having a screen 1cm from your eye would not work. However without this explanation it looks like a kickstarter scam...
- scoopertrooper 5y ago
  There are plenty of products on the market that managed to integrate a HUD into a pair of glasses, not least of which being Google Glass.
  - AndrewThrowaway 5y ago
    Google Glass required quite considerable optical system with prisms and etc: https://www.varifocals.net/google-glass/ https://www.varifocals.net/google-glass/ Only image I can find on the website that seems to demonstrate anything is maybe this one https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/1810/1695/files/Nose_Detail2-min_912x600.jpg https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/1810/1695/files/Nose_... So does it project image on the glass? Maybe projects image directly on retina? How does it work? What is the resolution etc? Why not answer these more technical questions in some article further on the website?
  - toast0 5y ago
    Google Glass was pretty akward, and was not shown on the lens. You had to look up and to the side to see the display.
- nradov 5y ago
  Heads up optical displays have been a well understood technology for decades now. Do we really need another explanation of how they work?
  - ho_schi 5y ago
    The question is appropriate. Does it use a proprietary closed-source protocol? Wouldn't be a bluetooth-Profile for Displays much better? How about a embedded-Display-Port? We've seen how well open protocals scale looking at true-wireless-headphones and how bad it is closed stuff, like AirPlay and Chromecast.
sixothree 5y ago
Rear view mirror would be useful.
- nradov 5y ago
  Rear view mirrors are already available. You can just clip one to your helmet or handlebars.
  - rhinoceraptor 5y ago
    Yes, but serious cyclists are into the fashion and aesthetic of looking 'pro'. There are a million little details, and a mirror is a big faux pas.
    - dylan604 5y ago
      That's their problem. If you're doing something for the look, then maybe you should reconsider the why.
    - schwartzworld 5y ago
      https://www.amazon.com/Rearview-Spy-Glasses-Mirror-Vision/dp/B000NPGMHM https://www.amazon.com/Rearview-Spy-Glasses-Mirror-Vision/dp... Here you go
- mdp2021 5y ago
  You could easily code one for existing AR eyesets (connect to a camera at the vehicle tail). But that would take a relatively big flat area (the camera output) in your central visual region (the device I know has no display in the periphery), so I am not sure it is the most practical solution. Data in AR eyesets is best placed if its elements are surrounded by the environment (opaque text in a transparent background).
rvz 5y ago
I can bet that a MAAMA (Meta, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon) company is going to acquire this smart glasses technology.
- KaiserPro 5y ago
  only if they are actually any good.
- mdp2021 5y ago
  Which side of this claimed technology is new?
  - rvz 5y ago
    It's not about being 'new' it's about the overall execution and who ever best executes and (re)introduces the smart glasses with the software ecosystem well, wins. Out of the MAMMA companies it is likely to come from either Meta, Apple or even Alphabet.
    - mdp2021 5y ago
      Epson, then. It's already there and getting out of those tracks (especially adopting the ghastly paradigms, that many people would avoid like pestilence, those companies easily use) would very probably mean to ruin it. You seem to be making reference to an «overall execution» that appeals to the masses, not to the involved user. "Alpinism for everyone", "alpinism for dummies" and "alpinism for the mountaineer" are not the same thing.
      - rvz 5y ago
        > You seem to be making reference to an «overall execution» that appeals to the masses, not to the involved user. Yes, because that is what counts in terms of market dominance and mass adoption of a product category. This has worked for several companies in reintroducing the smartphone and smartwatches without being 'first'. After targeting the average user, the same companies focus towards the professionals and build a version targeting them. Thus, it is both the masses and the professionals along side the overall execution of that. It turns out that Epson's ones appeal more towards B2B2C uses than directly towards the average user. The other way round is true for the smart glasses in this HN article but targets a niche of sports users. Neither have separate versions that targets both markets or is even remotely mass adopted. Without targeting the masses first, they risk being disrupted by the ones that do and will lose entirely or get acquired once the disruptors begin to target the professionals. Whoever does the overall execution of all of the above for the smart glasses, simply wins.
deanclatworthy 5y ago
They also have these, believe it or not, for swimmers https://eu.formswim.com/products/smart-swim-goggles https://eu.formswim.com/products/smart-swim-goggles
- TrueGeek 5y ago
  I use Form goggles. They are aimed at competitive swimmers, but all I care about is heart rate. I had previously used an Apple Watch but stopping at the end of a lap (or after the swim) and looking at your watch kinda defeats the purpose. With Form I see my heart rate in real time 100% of the time. I was worried I'd have a problem being near sighted but it really does look like the data is being projected 10 feet in front of me. It's a neat trick - my brain actually thinks that when I exhale the bubbles are in-between me and the projection, even though I know it obviously isn't. My only complaint is that every single forking time I open the app it tries to upsell me on their structured training program for a monthly fee. Literally every time - I open the app and have to tap 'no thanks' before I can use it!
  - deanclatworthy 5y ago
    While I have your ear, what is the actual "goggle" performance like? These came up as the highest-end option when I was looking for a new pair. I have constant problems with every pair with seal, fogging and eventually degradation of the materials. My most recent speedo goggles see-through seal has degraded to the horrible yellow plastic, even inside a case, in a bag, in a cupboard.
    - TrueGeek 5y ago
      It’s very good. I’ve only had them since the first week of August so I can’t speak to their longevity. But they’re comfortable (I do up to 90 minutes), stay on in turns, don’t leak or fog. They project the HUD display onto this little screen on one of the Goggles (you can make it either left or right). Because of that they say to not do the typical thing that every swimmer does and spit in the goggles and rub it in. They say to never touch the goggle interior and just trust the anti fog coating.
ho_schi 5y ago
Is anyone else missing actual descriptions of the hardware and public API-Specifications? I'm expecting something like this as AR-Sunglass for some time - from Garmin. I looking forward that AR will improve a lot of areas and make entire new things possible. Contrary to VR, which I'm about rather skeptically if it will leave a special niche use cases. Returning back to the APIs. If we see here the industry applying again the idea of a locked-down system we will miss many use-cases and at the end one or two very big companies will eventually dominate. I'm expecting AR-Glass to behave like Bluetooh or Wireless-Display-Port - than we will see massive gains.
- ho_schi 5y ago
  Why the downvote? Does someone don't like open APIs?
- mdp2021 5y ago
  You can use the Epson Moverio series (though they are very much not "discreet"). No issue with the API: it is just Android. You can develop products for them without any difficulty. Black is transparent - that's it. What you will add in the software is, to make sure that you make good use of the dpad embedded in the controller unit.
  - ho_schi 5y ago
    Thank you! Looks like a promising first step despite it is rather expensive.
    - mdp2021 5y ago
      > first step Aesthetically there is probably more work to be done; technically, they are very, very, very, very well done. As I commented in another post here, I only may wish for a slightly taller display (and maybe more battery - they last 5 hours). And as I commented in another post here, I found them to be lifechangers: reading while moving around is very pleasing and efficient.
Gys 5y ago
Reminds me of similar solutions for swimming: https://www.vuzix.com/products/smart-swim https://www.vuzix.com/products/smart-swim and https://www.formswim.com/ https://www.formswim.com/
pornel 5y ago
All the depictions of the screen are just photoshopped mockups. The HUD is perfectly opaque. If this was really how it looks, it'd be an extraordinary feat of engineering. If it's just AMOLED in the glass or a projection onto the glasses, it could only add light.
- AndrewThrowaway 5y ago
  No technical information whatsoever, testimonials written half a year ago (https://us.engoeyewear.com/pages/testimonials https://us.engoeyewear.com/pages/testimonials). However nobody reviewing them on Youtube? Can we just agree that it is a scam?
  - mdrzn 5y ago
    No way it's a scam, Pam from Columbus said she can finally relax with these glasses! /s Anyway, these look good but I doubt they're as good as the Google prototype scopes with built-in LCD, LED, 1080p, 3D, Sony technology built into every single lens that DrDisrespect has been using.
diego_moita 5y ago
I find it funny how over-American this is. In the U.S. bicycles are basically tools for practising sports and, as such, should be expensive, ultra-efficient and loaded with high-tech. In the rest of the world (from Amsterdam to Manila) bicycles are mostly for transportation and should be durable, reliable and not expensive at all. So far, I never saw an "omafiets" (a.k.a. "grandma bike") in the US. And sports should also be very cheap and shouldn't need expensive equipment, as in "real" football (aka: "soccer"). Edit: also, isn't bicycle navigation the kind of problem that Eric Migicowski tried to solve in Amsterdam with smartwatches (Pebble)?
- 38932ur98u 5y ago
  What? No. Competitive cycling was birthed in Europe.
- nradov 5y ago
  That's an odd statement considering how popular bike racing is in Europe. I seem to recall a bunch of expensive, ultra-efficient and loaded with high-tech bikes dashing through France last July...
- PedroBatista 5y ago
  Are you trying to say Peloton bikes will not saves us from doom?
- hellomyguys 5y ago
  Weird over-generalization that ignores the popularity of cycling as a sport (which is expensive) in Europe and the fact that the majority of people using bicycles in the US are using them how you describe the rest of the world uses them.
- 1-more 5y ago
  The US has barely any road racing scene; the closest we have is just Criterium racing. The biggest road races in the world happen in Europe and are won by Europeans. Barely any US companies even sponsor teams at the secondary level let alone primary. Trek is the only one I can think of off the top of my head and they split it with Segafredo. But the other thing is what kinds of bikes you see in the US. By far what you see the most of in NYC is shitty Huffys that cost maybe $150 new, and then Arrow e-bikes that food delivery drivers use.
aqme28 5y ago
I've been using a set of Bose Audio Sunglasses with Google Maps for directions when riding. I can't see a map, but the audio queues are (usually) all I need for directions. Basically, I like the idea of these sunglasses, but the information shown doesn't actually seem all that useful.
- 1-more 5y ago
  it's the same info you'd have on a cycling computer. If you're doing intervals you want to know your current power output/heart rate as well as your targets for those. Or maybe you're focusing on getting your cadence higher instead of grinding in lower gears. All of this stuff is worth showing to someone training for cycling. For a commuter, nah. I mean I guess it's cool to see your speed. This doesn't even look like it'll do turning queues the way a GPS enabled head unit will. But that's cool, since the only info you probably want without looking down at your head unit is what it offers.
outside1234 5y ago
There are also ski helmets with similar technology. https://www.snow-online.com/skimag/exclusively-in-schladming-first-smart-ski-helmet.htm https://www.snow-online.com/skimag/exclusively-in-schladming... Mind you, you will get laughed off the slope with that on, but...
rory 5y ago
Looks like they work just as well for running (no reason to think they wouldn't). Seem useful to keep a certain pace without having to look down and check anything. I definitely run harder when I can see exactly how (not) fast I'm going.
uuidgen 5y ago
If it works like presented on those mockups it is useless. And since we only see mockups I'm sure it doesn't work at all and is a scam. I've tried to make a DIY hud for bicycle riding and it failed on two steps: - you need enough brightness for it to be visible in full daylight, so the image was be tinny or the blue oled I've tried to use weren't bright enough - my prototype worked well with a straight piece of glass and a plastic sheet Fresnel lens, but it wasn't good for actual use. For actual use you need to project out-of-focus image on a curved surface of bike glasses. I have no idea how to make it small, precise enough and cheap enough. There are also miniature DLP projectors from TI, that I think would work but they were pretty expensive for a hobbyist to use.
- nradov 5y ago
  I don't know whether this particular product is a scam, but the Everysight Raptor is similar and it definitely works. Just because you couldn't figure it out doesn't mean it's impossible.
- mdp2021 5y ago
  Adding to sibling (with reference to the difficulty of producing good AR eyesets), the Epson Moverio do work very well. For the purpose of a HUD dashboard quick info - a few big characters (as opposed to, say, pages dense of text) - visibility against environmental light should almost always be given even without darkening "sunglasses" shades (you use the sequence "eyes, displays, shades" when you want to enhance the visibility of the display). So, confirmedly, in case of doubt, the technology is there already.

Nice advertorial. ;) I’m intrigued by their focus on cyclists (although I guess few groups have as much interest in spending disposable income on displaying their devotion to their sport) when, if these are all they’re made out to be, they’d be a pretty cool phone HUD for pretty much anything.

michaelt 5y ago
Perhaps their tech is limited to displaying, say, 5 characters? No good for AR video gaming, or reading instant messaging. But for sport applications, it's enough to show the user the time, or their speed, or their wattage, or their heartrate.
bigbluedots 5y ago
Cyclists are obsessed with real-time data - how fast am I going, what is my power output right now, which heart rate and power zones am I in at the moment,.etc etc. All this is normally displayed on a cycling computer, but if you have a HUD, even better..especially as most already wear sunglasses of some kind to avoid getting insects and other things in the eyes.
edh649 5y ago
I've seen swimming googles with the same idea around (virtually in adverts, not in real life) https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/09/24/form-smart-swim-goggles-review/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/09...
KaiserPro 5y ago
this type of Cyclist really loves gadgets and will pay >$500 for sensors to measure how much power they are producing. They also are well adapted/conditioned to wear ridiculous sunglasses big enough to accept the optics to run a HUD.

endisneigh 5y ago

what problem does this solve vs. a smartphone mounted on the handlebars?

jdavis703 5y ago
Much more convenient. I’m absentminded. I’ve left a GoPro on my bike and had it stolen (totally my fault, this was in the middle of a big city). If I mounted my smartphone in certain I’d repeat the mistake. However, I’m not going to loose wearable glasses. And while I don’t find the preference information useful, this would be great for getting GPS directions.
TheCondor 5y ago
Smartphones aren’t very aero.
nradov 5y ago
As the article states, you can keep your eyes on the road instead of glancing down. And most cyclists who would potentially buy a device like this use a dedicated bike computer, not a smartphone.
- endisneigh 5y ago
  yes I read that. can't you just look down when it's safe?
  - tokai 5y ago
    Not really, but you might get bullied other cyclists/fans. https://chrisfroomelookingatstems.tumblr.com/ https://chrisfroomelookingatstems.tumblr.com/
  - jhrmnn 5y ago
    It is a problem at higher speeds (>40 km/h) so in sprints or more typically in downhills. In downhills live data aren’t really that useful. If it showed a live map, that would be very useful.

AndrewThrowaway 5y ago

https://us.engoeyewear.com/pages/how-it-works https://us.engoeyewear.com/pages/how-it-works Would have thought that "how it works" would explain the optics part as obviously just having a screen 1cm from your eye would not work. However without this explanation it looks like a kickstarter scam...

scoopertrooper 5y ago
There are plenty of products on the market that managed to integrate a HUD into a pair of glasses, not least of which being Google Glass.
- AndrewThrowaway 5y ago
  Google Glass required quite considerable optical system with prisms and etc: https://www.varifocals.net/google-glass/ https://www.varifocals.net/google-glass/ Only image I can find on the website that seems to demonstrate anything is maybe this one https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/1810/1695/files/Nose_Detail2-min_912x600.jpg https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/1810/1695/files/Nose_... So does it project image on the glass? Maybe projects image directly on retina? How does it work? What is the resolution etc? Why not answer these more technical questions in some article further on the website?
- toast0 5y ago
  Google Glass was pretty akward, and was not shown on the lens. You had to look up and to the side to see the display.
nradov 5y ago
Heads up optical displays have been a well understood technology for decades now. Do we really need another explanation of how they work?
- ho_schi 5y ago
  The question is appropriate. Does it use a proprietary closed-source protocol? Wouldn't be a bluetooth-Profile for Displays much better? How about a embedded-Display-Port? We've seen how well open protocals scale looking at true-wireless-headphones and how bad it is closed stuff, like AirPlay and Chromecast.

sixothree 5y ago

Rear view mirror would be useful.

nradov 5y ago
Rear view mirrors are already available. You can just clip one to your helmet or handlebars.
- rhinoceraptor 5y ago
  Yes, but serious cyclists are into the fashion and aesthetic of looking 'pro'. There are a million little details, and a mirror is a big faux pas.
  - dylan604 5y ago
    That's their problem. If you're doing something for the look, then maybe you should reconsider the why.
  - schwartzworld 5y ago
    https://www.amazon.com/Rearview-Spy-Glasses-Mirror-Vision/dp/B000NPGMHM https://www.amazon.com/Rearview-Spy-Glasses-Mirror-Vision/dp... Here you go
mdp2021 5y ago
You could easily code one for existing AR eyesets (connect to a camera at the vehicle tail). But that would take a relatively big flat area (the camera output) in your central visual region (the device I know has no display in the periphery), so I am not sure it is the most practical solution. Data in AR eyesets is best placed if its elements are surrounded by the environment (opaque text in a transparent background).

rvz 5y ago

I can bet that a MAAMA (Meta, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon) company is going to acquire this smart glasses technology.

KaiserPro 5y ago
only if they are actually any good.
mdp2021 5y ago
Which side of this claimed technology is new?
- rvz 5y ago
  It's not about being 'new' it's about the overall execution and who ever best executes and (re)introduces the smart glasses with the software ecosystem well, wins. Out of the MAMMA companies it is likely to come from either Meta, Apple or even Alphabet.
  - mdp2021 5y ago
    Epson, then. It's already there and getting out of those tracks (especially adopting the ghastly paradigms, that many people would avoid like pestilence, those companies easily use) would very probably mean to ruin it. You seem to be making reference to an «overall execution» that appeals to the masses, not to the involved user. "Alpinism for everyone", "alpinism for dummies" and "alpinism for the mountaineer" are not the same thing.
    - rvz 5y ago
      > You seem to be making reference to an «overall execution» that appeals to the masses, not to the involved user. Yes, because that is what counts in terms of market dominance and mass adoption of a product category. This has worked for several companies in reintroducing the smartphone and smartwatches without being 'first'. After targeting the average user, the same companies focus towards the professionals and build a version targeting them. Thus, it is both the masses and the professionals along side the overall execution of that. It turns out that Epson's ones appeal more towards B2B2C uses than directly towards the average user. The other way round is true for the smart glasses in this HN article but targets a niche of sports users. Neither have separate versions that targets both markets or is even remotely mass adopted. Without targeting the masses first, they risk being disrupted by the ones that do and will lose entirely or get acquired once the disruptors begin to target the professionals. Whoever does the overall execution of all of the above for the smart glasses, simply wins.

deanclatworthy 5y ago

They also have these, believe it or not, for swimmers https://eu.formswim.com/products/smart-swim-goggles https://eu.formswim.com/products/smart-swim-goggles

TrueGeek 5y ago
I use Form goggles. They are aimed at competitive swimmers, but all I care about is heart rate. I had previously used an Apple Watch but stopping at the end of a lap (or after the swim) and looking at your watch kinda defeats the purpose. With Form I see my heart rate in real time 100% of the time. I was worried I'd have a problem being near sighted but it really does look like the data is being projected 10 feet in front of me. It's a neat trick - my brain actually thinks that when I exhale the bubbles are in-between me and the projection, even though I know it obviously isn't. My only complaint is that every single forking time I open the app it tries to upsell me on their structured training program for a monthly fee. Literally every time - I open the app and have to tap 'no thanks' before I can use it!
- deanclatworthy 5y ago
  While I have your ear, what is the actual "goggle" performance like? These came up as the highest-end option when I was looking for a new pair. I have constant problems with every pair with seal, fogging and eventually degradation of the materials. My most recent speedo goggles see-through seal has degraded to the horrible yellow plastic, even inside a case, in a bag, in a cupboard.
  - TrueGeek 5y ago
    It’s very good. I’ve only had them since the first week of August so I can’t speak to their longevity. But they’re comfortable (I do up to 90 minutes), stay on in turns, don’t leak or fog. They project the HUD display onto this little screen on one of the Goggles (you can make it either left or right). Because of that they say to not do the typical thing that every swimmer does and spit in the goggles and rub it in. They say to never touch the goggle interior and just trust the anti fog coating.

ho_schi 5y ago

Is anyone else missing actual descriptions of the hardware and public API-Specifications? I'm expecting something like this as AR-Sunglass for some time - from Garmin. I looking forward that AR will improve a lot of areas and make entire new things possible. Contrary to VR, which I'm about rather skeptically if it will leave a special niche use cases. Returning back to the APIs. If we see here the industry applying again the idea of a locked-down system we will miss many use-cases and at the end one or two very big companies will eventually dominate. I'm expecting AR-Glass to behave like Bluetooh or Wireless-Display-Port - than we will see massive gains.

ho_schi 5y ago
Why the downvote? Does someone don't like open APIs?
mdp2021 5y ago
You can use the Epson Moverio series (though they are very much not "discreet"). No issue with the API: it is just Android. You can develop products for them without any difficulty. Black is transparent - that's it. What you will add in the software is, to make sure that you make good use of the dpad embedded in the controller unit.
- ho_schi 5y ago
  Thank you! Looks like a promising first step despite it is rather expensive.
  - mdp2021 5y ago
    > first step Aesthetically there is probably more work to be done; technically, they are very, very, very, very well done. As I commented in another post here, I only may wish for a slightly taller display (and maybe more battery - they last 5 hours). And as I commented in another post here, I found them to be lifechangers: reading while moving around is very pleasing and efficient.

Gys 5y ago

Reminds me of similar solutions for swimming: https://www.vuzix.com/products/smart-swim https://www.vuzix.com/products/smart-swim and https://www.formswim.com/ https://www.formswim.com/

pornel 5y ago

All the depictions of the screen are just photoshopped mockups. The HUD is perfectly opaque. If this was really how it looks, it'd be an extraordinary feat of engineering. If it's just AMOLED in the glass or a projection onto the glasses, it could only add light.

AndrewThrowaway 5y ago
No technical information whatsoever, testimonials written half a year ago (https://us.engoeyewear.com/pages/testimonials https://us.engoeyewear.com/pages/testimonials). However nobody reviewing them on Youtube? Can we just agree that it is a scam?
- mdrzn 5y ago
  No way it's a scam, Pam from Columbus said she can finally relax with these glasses! /s Anyway, these look good but I doubt they're as good as the Google prototype scopes with built-in LCD, LED, 1080p, 3D, Sony technology built into every single lens that DrDisrespect has been using.

diego_moita 5y ago

I find it funny how over-American this is. In the U.S. bicycles are basically tools for practising sports and, as such, should be expensive, ultra-efficient and loaded with high-tech. In the rest of the world (from Amsterdam to Manila) bicycles are mostly for transportation and should be durable, reliable and not expensive at all. So far, I never saw an "omafiets" (a.k.a. "grandma bike") in the US. And sports should also be very cheap and shouldn't need expensive equipment, as in "real" football (aka: "soccer"). Edit: also, isn't bicycle navigation the kind of problem that Eric Migicowski tried to solve in Amsterdam with smartwatches (Pebble)?

38932ur98u 5y ago
What? No. Competitive cycling was birthed in Europe.
nradov 5y ago
That's an odd statement considering how popular bike racing is in Europe. I seem to recall a bunch of expensive, ultra-efficient and loaded with high-tech bikes dashing through France last July...
PedroBatista 5y ago
Are you trying to say Peloton bikes will not saves us from doom?
hellomyguys 5y ago
Weird over-generalization that ignores the popularity of cycling as a sport (which is expensive) in Europe and the fact that the majority of people using bicycles in the US are using them how you describe the rest of the world uses them.
1-more 5y ago
The US has barely any road racing scene; the closest we have is just Criterium racing. The biggest road races in the world happen in Europe and are won by Europeans. Barely any US companies even sponsor teams at the secondary level let alone primary. Trek is the only one I can think of off the top of my head and they split it with Segafredo. But the other thing is what kinds of bikes you see in the US. By far what you see the most of in NYC is shitty Huffys that cost maybe $150 new, and then Arrow e-bikes that food delivery drivers use.

aqme28 5y ago

I've been using a set of Bose Audio Sunglasses with Google Maps for directions when riding. I can't see a map, but the audio queues are (usually) all I need for directions. Basically, I like the idea of these sunglasses, but the information shown doesn't actually seem all that useful.

1-more 5y ago
it's the same info you'd have on a cycling computer. If you're doing intervals you want to know your current power output/heart rate as well as your targets for those. Or maybe you're focusing on getting your cadence higher instead of grinding in lower gears. All of this stuff is worth showing to someone training for cycling. For a commuter, nah. I mean I guess it's cool to see your speed. This doesn't even look like it'll do turning queues the way a GPS enabled head unit will. But that's cool, since the only info you probably want without looking down at your head unit is what it offers.

outside1234 5y ago

There are also ski helmets with similar technology. https://www.snow-online.com/skimag/exclusively-in-schladming-first-smart-ski-helmet.htm https://www.snow-online.com/skimag/exclusively-in-schladming... Mind you, you will get laughed off the slope with that on, but...

rory 5y ago

Looks like they work just as well for running (no reason to think they wouldn't). Seem useful to keep a certain pace without having to look down and check anything. I definitely run harder when I can see exactly how (not) fast I'm going.

uuidgen 5y ago

If it works like presented on those mockups it is useless. And since we only see mockups I'm sure it doesn't work at all and is a scam. I've tried to make a DIY hud for bicycle riding and it failed on two steps: - you need enough brightness for it to be visible in full daylight, so the image was be tinny or the blue oled I've tried to use weren't bright enough - my prototype worked well with a straight piece of glass and a plastic sheet Fresnel lens, but it wasn't good for actual use. For actual use you need to project out-of-focus image on a curved surface of bike glasses. I have no idea how to make it small, precise enough and cheap enough. There are also miniature DLP projectors from TI, that I think would work but they were pretty expensive for a hobbyist to use.

nradov 5y ago
I don't know whether this particular product is a scam, but the Everysight Raptor is similar and it definitely works. Just because you couldn't figure it out doesn't mean it's impossible.
mdp2021 5y ago
Adding to sibling (with reference to the difficulty of producing good AR eyesets), the Epson Moverio do work very well. For the purpose of a HUD dashboard quick info - a few big characters (as opposed to, say, pages dense of text) - visibility against environmental light should almost always be given even without darkening "sunglasses" shades (you use the sequence "eyes, displays, shades" when you want to enhance the visibility of the display). So, confirmedly, in case of doubt, the technology is there already.