Apple AR Glasses Could Come With These Features

Apple has been working on its own augmented reality head-mounted displays (HMD), including one that's sleeker and designed for use in everyday situations. But what could Apple's AR Glasses offer users?

Here's a quick look at some possible features, based on patents and earlier reports.

Eye-tracking

Previous reports revealed that Apple is working on advanced eye-tracking features for its AR glasses. The technology will determine what the user is looking at based on the user's “gaze direction,” a head tracking unit that determines the user's head against a reference coordinate system and a 3D representation.

Stereoscopic rendering

Reports also show that Apple is working on technologies that will allow its AR headsets to render more realistic and “believable” images. This will allow the company's HMDs to produce more accurate real-life representations of things.

Gaze prediction

Previous reports also indicated that Apple is working on technologies that could give its AR smart glasses the ability to predict where the user would look next. The technology will allow the company's upcoming AR glasses to render scenes in real-time more accurately by processing images where the user could look next before he even looks there.

All three technologies mentioned above could be used on Apple's bulkier AR headset, reportedly coming in 2022.

Gaze-based interactions

According to a patent spotted by Apple Insider, Apple's upcoming AR glasses might feature tech that will allow users to interact with virtual objects simply by looking at them. This will allow the devices to “provide a more natural and efficient interface,” letting users select objects without having to put in more effort.

Modular design

One patent reveals that Apple's upcoming AR glasses could feature a modular design. The patent shows the HMD as having detachable arms that could be replaced at will to add or remove certain features as needed.

The arms could vary in size depending on the embedded feature. An arm with a larger battery, for example, could be thick and will make the AR glasses look thicker than normal. Some arms will be thinner than others and will look sleeker. The trade-off, however, is a smaller battery life.

These features may or may not be included in Apple's upcoming AR glasses. While their inclusion is unclear at the moment, what's known is that the company is working on its HMDs and will release them in the near future.