Epson Announces Availability of Developer and Drone Editions of Moverio BT-300 AR Smart Glasses

News provided by

Jan 04, 2017, 09:05 ET

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- CES 2017 – Epson, providers of the Moverio^® augmented reality (AR) smart eyewear platform, today announced the immediate availability of its Moverio BT-300 Developer Edition. The new AR platform is designed for software developers creating new experiences in augmented reality. Additionally, the highly anticipated Moverio BT-300 Drone Edition glasses will be available to pilots later this month. Optimized for use with DJI hardware, the Moverio BT-300 Drone Edition glasses will enhance the safety, productivity and capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Moverio BT-300 Developer Edition is the lightest Si-OLED (organic light emitting diode) digital display technology binocular, see-though augmented reality smart glasses available¹. Featuring Epson's unique silicon-based Si-OLED digital display technology, the glasses are powered by the Android 5.1 OS and run on a quad core Intel^® Atom^™X5 processor. This powerful Moverio platform enables developers to create life-like 3D AR experiences, while being more than 70% lighter than Epson's first generation glasses. A 5 mega pixel front-facing camera and on-board sensors enable the Moverio BT-300 to recognize objects in the real world. The Si-OLED projection system can then seamlessly render 3D content in the real world, with no display background or edges in the field of view. Currently available for purchase, the Moverio BT-300 Developer Edition holds a suggested retail price of $779.

"Now in our sixth year in the Augmented Reality eyewear space, Epson's Moverio platform has driven interest and sales increases exponentially year after year. Our newest Moverio BT-300 will certainly drive our business to new highs," said Eric Mizufuka, product manager, New Ventures for Epson America. "We're especially excited to be partnered with DJI to make flying a safer and more productive experience. We believe that piloting UAVs is one of our killer applications."

Sharing the same powerful hardware platform as the Developer Edition, the Moverio BT-300 Drone Edition comes pre-loaded with the DJI GO app for use with most DJI hardware. The Drone Edition glasses feature clip-on dark shades for use in bright sunlight as well as special fasteners that secure the Moverio controller onto the DJI phone mount for easy operation². The Moverio BT-300 Drone Edition will ship with a suggested retail price of $799.

With the Moverio BT-300 Drone Edition, UAV pilots are able to experience crystal clear, transparent first person views (FPV) from the drone camera while simultaneously maintaining their line of sight with their aircraft. The FAA has maintained the rule that UAVs must remain within the visual line-of-sight (VLOS) of the remote pilot, reinforcing the relevance of the Moverio Drone Edition. More than 600,000 UAVs are expected to be in use in 2017².

For complete overviews of both editions and to purchase a unit, please visit Epson.com/Moverio.

About Epson
Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to connecting people, things and information with its original efficient, compact and precision technologies. With a lineup that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, smart glasses, sensing systems and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations and exceeding customer expectations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 73,000 employees in 91 companies around the world, and is proud of its contributions to the communities in which it operates and its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts.

Epson America, Inc., based in Long Beach, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/EpsonAmerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

Note: Specifications are subject to change without notice. EPSON and Moverio are registered trademarks, and EPSON Exceed Your Vision is a registered logomark of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks.

¹ When compared to data available on the websites of manufacturers of competitor devices with similar features as of July 2016. Moverio BT-300 weight: less than 2.5 oz (69 g)

²The included mount is compatible with DJI's Phantom and Inspire product lines.

SOURCE Epson America, Inc.