Unleashing the Power of Wearable AR
How to Embrace the Revolution and Shape Tomorrow's Reality Today!
The AR Monocle, developed by Brilliant Labs, is an open-source augmented reality device. It can be conveniently attached to eyeglasses or held to the user's eye. Equipped with a camera, microphone, touch sensor, and a 20° field of view super bright display optic, the Monocle aims to be affordable, accessible, and visually appealing. Could this sleek wearable be the game changer we've all been anticipating? Let's dive into the details and explore the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
Different Strategies: Who will win the AR race?
Apple and Brilliant Labs have distinct strategies for their AR devices. Apple's Vision Pro, a mixed-reality headset, aims to provide a highly immersive experience with superior performance and graphical fidelity. It seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world, allowing users to stay connected to others. However, this premium experience comes at a significantly higher price, starting at $3,499 upon its US release in 2024.
On the other hand, Brilliant Labs' AR Monocle prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and ease of development. Compared to other AR devices like the Apple Vision Pro, Microsoft HoloLens, Vuzix Blade, and Nreal Air, it offers a pocket-sized, open-source AR lens that can be effortlessly attached to any eyewear or held up to the eye. The Monocle prioritizes these factors over immersive interactions, performance, and graphical fidelity. With a price tag of just $349, the Monocle brings AR experiences within reach of a wider audience.
While many AR and VR headsets confine users to their living rooms, Brilliant Labs is breaking new ground in the opposite direction. In an interview with TechCrunch, CEO, and co-founder Bobak Tavangar shared their vision of integrating the Monocle into people's daily lives, transcending the limitations of a single location to offer a truly immersive augmented reality experience.
The startup based in Singapore, aims to incorporate generative AI into their compact wearable, a goal that has garnered significant attention and support. With a recent announcement of $3 million in seed funding, influential figures such as Brendan Iribe (co-founder of Oculus), Adam Cheyer (co-founder of Siri), and Eric Migicovsky (founder of Pebble) have come together to support this groundbreaking endeavor.
More on the topic:
The Good, the Bad, and the Dangerous: Unmasking Ethical Insights of AI, Wearable AR, and Gamification
Enter the rizzGPT project, a collaboration between Brilliant Labs and Stanford University students. Combining AR "monocle" technology with AI, this project empowers users by providing quick and clever responses during interactions, fostering confidence and charisma. Such innovation can revolutionize dialogue in various settings, including dates and job interviews.
The creators of rizzGPT, Alix Cui, Bryan Hau-Ping Chiang, and Varun Shenoy, envision a future of ambient computing facilitated by AR and AI. They propose a world where personalized assistants, available 24/7, guide and advise us daily. This concept opens intriguing possibilities for commerce, transforming how we interact with businesses and make purchasing decisions.
The rizzGPT project shed light on the cultural implications of wearable AR technology, emphasizing the need for seamless integration and user-friendly experiences. As AR technology advances and becomes more accessible, its impact on everyday life and cultural interactions will undoubtedly increase.
Recall: "Sight"
Released in 2012, the short Sci-Fi film "Sight" by Eran May-Raz and Daniel Lazo presents a dystopian future where people depend on retinal implants to access an augmented reality platform called Sight. This thought-provoking film vividly captures the ethical, privacy, and mind control issues that arise from such pervasive technology.
Gamification plays a central role in shaping characters' behavior and perception in the film. The protagonist transforms mundane tasks and dates into games, earning points and completing objectives. Disturbingly, he manipulates his date's preferences, memories, and emotions, using Gamification as a tool for control and exploitation.
The film raises essential questions and compels us to confront ethical and psychological concerns surrounding addiction, deception, privacy, and consent, shedding light on the dark side of AI, Augmented Reality, and Gamification.
Projects like rizzGPT and Sci-Fi films like "Sight" highlight the capabilities of wearable AR technology by incorporating facial recognition, Generative AI, and Gamification.
These technologies can enhance interactions by identifying conversation partners and providing real-time suggestions and subtitles. The social impact of such advancements raises questions about communication dynamics and interpersonal relationships.
I often emphasize and discuss these critical issues in my keynote talks and lectures. Addressing ethical concerns and privacy implications is crucial as we embrace wearable AR technology. Using chatbots and AI assistants raises questions about data security, consent, and responsible information use. Striking a balance between innovation and safeguarding user privacy is vital for widely accepting technologies like the AR monocle.
BONUS: I asked my AI co-author to interview *Steve Jobs. Here I share with you the prompts’ **result:
"ChatGPT-3: Steve, thank you for joining us today. We're excited to hear your thoughts on the future of Brilliant Labs' AR Monocle. What do you think about this innovative wearable and its potential impact?
Steve Jobs: It's great to be here. When I look at the AR Monocle, I see a lot of potential. The pocket-sized design and open-source approach align with our philosophy of simplicity and user-friendly experiences. It's all about seamlessly integrating technology into our lives, and the Monocle has the potential to do just that.
ChatGPT-3: The Monocle's ability to generate personalized support and offer real-time assistance has captured attention. How does this align with your vision of technology enhancing human experiences?
Steve Jobs: Absolutely. Technology should always be about augmenting our capabilities and improving our lives. Monocle's personalized support exemplifies that, like offering suggestions for a date. It's about leveraging AI to provide real-time assistance, making technology more intuitive and indispensable. That's the kind of impact we strive for.
ChatGPT-3: Collaboration has always been important to you. What do you think about Monocle's open-source community and partnerships with industry leaders?
Steve Jobs: Collaboration is critical to innovation. Monocle's open-source community and partnerships reflect a spirit of exploration and pushing boundaries, which I always admired. It's about welcoming diverse perspectives and unexpected applications. That's where the magic happens, and I'm thrilled to see Brilliant Labs fostering that collaborative spirit. Here are the main practical takeaways:
1. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify: Embrace simplicity in design and prioritize user convenience to create products that effortlessly fit into users' daily routines.
2. Bridging the Gap: Explore ways to harness technology to enhance human experiences and offer personalized assistance in real-time.
3. Openness and Collaboration: Foster collaboration and openness to drive innovation, welcoming diverse perspectives and unexpected applications of your product.
4. Seamlessness and Integration: Strive for seamless integration between hardware and software, creating a unified user experience that eliminates unnecessary complexities.
ChatGPT-3: Wise words, Steve. Thank you for sharing your valuable perspective with us today.
Steve Jobs: My pleasure. Keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and making a difference in the world."
To wrap it up, as we venture into wearable AR technology and its potential impact, we must prioritize transparency, user consent, and maintaining our human connections.
Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. -Steve Jobs.
Taking inspiration from visionary leaders like Steve Jobs, we can create groundbreaking products that revolutionize industries and impact people's lives. However, it's crucial to address ethical considerations and privacy concerns that arise along the way. By implementing these technologies responsibly and for the greater good, we can embrace the future while staying true to our core values in the AI era.
Till next time, Think Fast, Level Up Smart. Game On!
*Disclaimer: This ChatGPT-3 AI-Generated interview is a fictional representation of Steve Jobs' perspective and should be treated as a creative interpretation. While his philosophy and principles inspire the statements and ideas attributed to Steve Jobs, they do not reflect his actual words or views. Steve Jobs (RIP) was a visionary leader, and this interview is meant to capture the spirit of his thinking rather than provide an accurate representation of his thoughts on Brilliant Labs' AR Monocle, and the future of Wearable AR.
**Note: In the dialogue, I've added relevant data and insights not in my original prompts, and the text was slightly edited for clarity.