Unistellar: New software for "smart" telescopes
The Unistellar telescopes will receive a software update in October to improve image processing. Meanwhile, another project is taking shape.
Another non-functional dummy: The Unistellar Envision smart binoculars are not yet available.
(Image: heise online)
Unistellar is announcing new image processing software for its digital telescopes at IFA. The software, called "Vivid Vision", is designed to improve the signal processing and image display of the telescopes. The manufacturer will be delivering the new software as an over-the-air update from October.
According to the manufacturer, "Vivid Vision" is intended to improve color recognition and processing when taking pictures of space. In addition, the software's algorithms are designed to make "error corrections and image enhancements". The result should be able to compete with images from "experienced astrophotographers".
Update from October
The software update is to be delivered from October for the manufacturer's telescopes that are currently still available. The first generation of the eVscope will not receive the update, it was announced at IFA.
The French start-up Unistellar was founded in 2015 to develop a "smart" telescope for amateur astronomers. In 2017, the company presented its first prototype at CES and IFA. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, with which the company raised around 2 million euros, production began. After some delays, the first telescope was launched on the market in 2020.
Unistellar now has several models on offer. The telescopes are operated via a smartphone app and control celestial bodies using stepper motors. While the first models could only display the image on the connected app, the latest generation now also has an optical viewfinder.
Smart binoculars
At the IFA, Unistellar is also showing a dummy of the planned smart binoculars "Envision", which is not yet functional. The binoculars are designed to assist with target acquisition and focusing. Envision will use augmented reality to superimpose additional information on the image in real time. For the night sky, Unistellar uses data from its own applications.
For daytime observations, Unistellar uses data from Open Street Map. Envision uses this to provide information about places of interest and the geography of the surrounding area, for example, as well as displaying hiking routes.
Unistellar has already raised almost 2.5 million euros for the smart binoculars on Kickstarter. Backers can currently pre-order the device for 850 US dollars; it will later cost 1200 US dollars. Unistellar is currently planning the market launch for November 2025. Complications and delays are to be expected with hardware projects on Kickstarter.
(vbr)