Over the past few years, we’ve seen various major tech companies attempt to carve out a niche in the blossoming market for virtual reality hardware. Now, many are turning their attention to augmented reality, and Lenovo has emerged as the latest manufacturer to unveil a product in this space. Today, July 20, Lenovo used its annual Tech World conference as a platform to showcase the DaystAR headset.

This project was previously teased in April 2017, at which time a spokesperson for the company indicated that the consumer version of the device would likely be ready for retail later this year.

The DaystAR headset will apparently boast an independent vision processing unit as well as free-formed surface lenses with a 40-degree field of view, according to a report from Road to VR. No details on pricing or an exact release date were given at this time.

It seems clear that Lenovo is in the midst of a major push into the increasingly competitive field of AR hardware. Just a few days ago, the company announced a smartphone-based AR headset that will launch alongside a Star Wars-themed experience called Jedi Challenges, which was developed in partnership with Disney.

However, Lenovo’s AR interests aren’t just limited to hardware. The company is also set to offer its own AR platform that will give developers access to services like cloud object recognition, multiplayer interaction, and a 3D object manager, according to a blog post published on its official website.

This platform seems to be conceived along the lines of Apple’s ARKit, which is expected to launch as part of iOS 11, ahead of new AR-friendly hardware features set to debut with the next iteration of the iPhone. Companies are investing heavily in this kind of infrastructure in an attempt to avoid the content droughts that have marred mainstream adoption of VR.

Lenovo’s headset bears a certain resemblance to Microsoft’s HoloLens — which isn’t entirely unexpected, given that the two companies have been in collaboration throughout the development of the DaystAR. Windows 10 and iOS are both set to place a major focus on AR in the coming years, but it will be the available content and the hardware pricing that determines whether and to what extent this effort catches on with users.

Related Posts

This extraordinary humanoid robot plays basketball like a pro, really

Digital Trends has already reported on the G1’s ability to move in a way that would make even the world’s top gymnasts envious, with various videos showing it engaged in combat, recovering from falls, and even doing the housework.

How to Use Pollo AI Video Generator: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here we’re talking about the Pollo AI video generator which can be used with a variety of prompts, and I’ll talk you through using each one.

This 49-inch curved Samsung ultrawide is down to $799.99 and basically replaces two monitors at once

You’re getting a massive 49-inch curved Dual QHD panel, 120Hz refresh rate, USB-C, HDR400, and an adjustable stand that’s built for serious productivity but still fast and smooth enough for after-hours gaming.