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Smartglasses Get Smarter with Virtual Finger Control from Myo Armband

Written by Zach Overholt
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myo band recon jet

You’ve probably seen the guy by now. You know, the one person you know that has Google Glass furiously swiping at their temple trying to access the camera instead of accidentally searching for something in Google? Thanks to Thalmic Labs’ Myo arm band, there is a smarter way to navigate through smartglass options without even touching the device. The big news for cyclists is that in addition to Google Glass, the Myo band is also designed to work with the Recon Jet – cycling glasses with a built in heads up display.

Using hand gestures alone, users can control the Jet’s functions while keeping their hands close to the bars. Compatible with both snow and bike applications from Recon, the Myo arm band offers a direct connection to the Jet by using the official Myo remote application.

See the Myo/Jet combination in use after the break…

myo_smartglass

Currently the armband is compatible with Google Glass, Recon Jet, and the Epson Moverio BT-200, though only the Google and Recon models have a direct connection to the armband. It will be interesting to see where this technology will lead in the immediate future or how well the system actually works, but it appears smartglasses just got a whole lot smarter. Myo armbands are available for preorder at $149 each (shipping in September), while retail of the Recon Jet is currently $599. More details over on Thalmic Labs’ blog.

Does the introduction of the Myo armband change your opinion of devices like the Recon Jet?
Zach Overholt
5,727 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Ajax
Ajax
10 years ago

I don’t even junk where you can buy Google glasses. I’ve never even seen them at Best Buys or Frys.

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spokejunky
spokejunky
10 years ago

@Ajax https://glass.google.com/getglass/u/0/shop/glass

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Ventruck
Ventruck
10 years ago

Of course these are demonstrated on some premium rush hipster.

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Gunnstein
Gunnstein
10 years ago

Cue all the Luddists: “This is so stupid and ugly and nerdy and it’s gonna get us all killed and it’ll never catch on!” and nevertheless, 10 years on it’ll be common and perfectly normal.

Time to qoute Douglas Adams (RIP):
“Anything that is in the world when you’re born is normal and ordinary and is just a natural part of the way the world works. Anything that’s invented between when you’re fifteen and thirty-five is new and exciting and revolutionary and you can probably get a career in it. Anything invented after you’re thirty-five is against the natural order of things.”

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Dave B
Dave B
10 years ago

I’m WAAAY past your age 35 cut-off for accepting new technology without some trepidation so, if this makes me a Luddite, so be it.

This new technology has a big downside when superimposed on old technology like driving a car or riding a bike. The potential for distraction is so large that it can’t be passed off as the old-fashion raving of the elderly. Cell phone use while driving has proven to be a serious hazard to the point that many states have banned it and this is far more distracting than just talking.

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Gunnstein
Gunnstein
10 years ago

@Dave B: Yes, driving under the influence (of texting or alcohol) is nasty, and banned for good reason. But your blanket claim that this is “far more distracting” is just not true. Smart glasses, like phones and alcohol (and cars), can be used responsibly or irresponsibly.

Consider what smart glasses can replace: The bike computer down on the bars. Using that requires you to look straight down, meaning you don’t see traffic. And the computers get more and more features, so I guess we spend more and more time not looking ahead as we should. In that context, smart glasses actually IMPROVE safety.

It’s comparable to the eyeglass mounted rear mirror I use (though admittedly that’s rather less high tech). With that I can check the traffic behind me simply by glancing up and to the left. Which means I’m looking ahead at the same time, in my peripherical vision. Much safer than turning my head to look backwards.

Now, about those people (there’s always some) who will use smart glasses to check their facebook stream while biking or driving, I’m with you 100%. But I don’t see that as a reason to ban tech which is useful and safe when used right (much like cars and bicycles are).

(Sadly, I’m past Adams’ tech-optimist age myself, but I try my best to keep luddism at bay.)

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