Recon Instruments, the same company that has already brought us heads up displays in goggles, is now taking it to the streets. Or anywhere you wear sunglasses instead of goggles, that is. In all honesty, the Recon Jet functions a lot like Google Glass but with more features and no see through display. The Jet also actually has lenses as well, so for situations where eye protection is needed there is no need for an additional pair of glasses.
Will your next cycling computer be on your face instead of your bike? Read on for more.
Obviously, Recon sees the Jet applicable to more than just cyclists – even surgeons!
“Doctor, should we operate?”
“One second, I’m checking my email.”
In all seriousness, the Jet does have some interesting features. Equipped with a dual core processor, dedicated graphics, Wi-Fi, ANT+ (power!), Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and HD camera, and multiple sensors, it seems like there isn’t much the Jet can’t do. Jet claims that the positioning of the display was decided on through consumer testing, but we can’t help but think it may be a bit distracting.
In addition to the electronics, the design of the actual glasses portion was scrutinized as well. Optics are claimed to be high quality polarized pieces, and the glasses with the microcomputer is said to weight only 60g. The glasses are also balanced on the nose as shown here, though there is no demonstration of balance left to right. Battery for the unit is interchangeable and snaps into place, though no word exactly what the batter is and if it is rechargeable.
Recon works by using their patented gaze detection, meaning the Jet only turns on when you glance at the screen. Of course with an optical touch sensor there is no need to remove gloves, or even stop to navigate through the device.
While not available yet, Recon lists the Jet as coming 2013. Recon showed an early version of the Jet at Google I/O, which is their annual developer conference that started the 15th. Thanks to Recon’s open SDK or platform, developers will be able to create native apps for just about anything on the Jet.
According to Hamid Abdollahi who is the CTO of Recon Instruments, “We are excited to be showing Recon Jet at Google I/O. Since we started the company in 2008, we have developed HUDs with a purpose; to relay instant, activity specific, user defined information effortlessly to the user’s eye. This philosophy is inherent in Jet which marries a powerful open platform, a widescreen display and high-performance polarized optics to offer what we believe is a great value proposition.”
What do you think, if the Jet works as promised would you adopt a HUD for cycling?
