Unistellar Envision smart binoculars display contextual information
The telescope manufacturer Unistellar has developed smart binoculars. The Envision can be used to observe wild animals or the sky, for example.
Unistellar is presenting a prototype of its Envision AR binoculars at CES. The finished product is not due to be released until 2026.
As with Unistellar's smart telescopes, users of the Envision smart binoculars do not look directly through the optics, but at a display that reads a photographic sensor. This allows additional information to be projected directly into the field of view. According to Unistellar, it has combined AR technology with classic optics to display contextual information directly in the field of vision. This can be data on geographical and astronomical objects.
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Interactive on hiking trails and in the starry sky
The device offers operating modes for different areas of use. In "Smart Scouting Mode", a 3D map overlay displays land and celestial objects. In daylight, for example, hikers receive information on mountain peaks, hiking trails and rivers. Pointing at the starry night sky, the overlay displays the names of constellations and planets, as well as lunar landing sites and comets.
In navigation mode, the app suggests celestial objects or geographical destinations and guides you there with visual cues. In target lock mode, several users can aim at the same target. Optical mode switches off the AR overlay so that the device can be used like conventional binoculars.
(Image:Â Unistellar)
Orientation via GPS
The device finds its position via a GPS module and communicates with the Envision app. It is available for iOS and Android. It can be used to select objects, retrieve data and obtain hiking routes. According to Unistellar, the database contains millions of geographical and astronomical objects.
Unistellar developed the binoculars as part of a Kickstarter campaign. The Envision can be pre-ordered, where the binoculars can be pre-ordered for 750 US dollars. However, they will not be available in stores until 2026.
(akr)
