Qualcomm Ventures into Mixed Reality with New Augmented Reality Chip
Qualcomm, a leading technology company, has made a significant entry into the world of mixed reality by unveiling its first augmented reality chip, the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1. The chip made its debut in the Meta Ray Ban Smart Glasses, signaling Qualcomm’s dedication to the future of mixed reality.
During an interview with Hugo Swart, Qualcomm’s VP of XR, I was given an exclusive preview of the company’s latest breakthrough: the Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 chipset’s reference device. This device boasts advanced features and capabilities that can pave the way for a future where smartphones can seamlessly double as eyeglasses.
While the highly anticipated Snapdragon X Elite laptop chipset stole the spotlight at the recent Snapdragon Summit in Maui, Hawaii, Qualcomm’s XR chips, which power a combination of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), didn’t go unnoticed. The company introduced two new chips, the AR1 and AR2, both of which have the potential to revolutionize the market and bring about never-before-seen products.
Qualcomm and I share a belief that glasses will be the next big trend after smartphones. During my meeting with Qualcomm, they showcased their Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 reference device and discussed the challenges they faced in creating a wearable future that can be comfortably worn on the face. While the Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 will enable true AR features, it is not yet capable of replacing the smartphone entirely.
Qualcomm envisions two distinct categories of face-mounted wearables. The first category consists of powerful computing tools, such as Apple’s Vision Pro headset, which is set to launch next year. These devices will resemble larger glasses or goggles and offer more immersive experiences. The second category comprises smaller wearables that look like normal glasses. Although they won’t create an entirely new world in front of the user, they will provide approximately a 100-degree field of view for projecting content. Additionally, these glasses will be transparent when necessary and will interact with the environment using various sensors and components.
While Qualcomm excels in hardware design for the future of mixed reality, software development remains a challenge. Therefore, the company has taken a platform-agnostic approach, allowing other companies to leverage their technology in creating spatial computing ecosystems. Qualcomm does not view spatial computing as the only solution; rather, they use the terms “mixed reality” or “XR” more frequently to encompass both augmented and virtual reality.
Display technology is the most pressing obstacle in the development of face-mounted wearables. Qualcomm recognizes the need for continuous improvements in display technology for the realization of their vision. The company emphasized that the display should provide a larger field of view, ideally around 100 degrees, allowing users to navigate without the need for additional screens or devices.
Connectivity, processing power, and content are other important factors for the success of face-mounted wearables. Qualcomm believes they have these aspects covered with the upcoming generations of Snapdragon AR chipsets. According to Swart, the processor and Wi-Fi 7 will provide significant advantages in terms of processing and connectivity.
Contrary to expectations, battery life is not a major concern for Qualcomm. The Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 chipset was designed to consume only 1 Watt of power or less. This means that the entire device, including the battery, can be kept compact, allowing for easy swapping of batteries or even integrating them into the arm of the glasses.
However, the most challenging aspect of creating the perfect wearable computer is waiting for the technology to catch up. While Swart believes that face-mounted wearables will eventually replace traditional desktop and mobile computers, he acknowledges that it will take time. He predicts that personal compute units, such as phones and other devices, will evolve before a complete transition occurs.
Although I wasn’t able to try on the Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 reference device, I was able to observe its features and capabilities. With the Snapdragon AR2 chipset powering the device, it is capable of handling movement and projecting augmented reality on its display, which currently provides a 45-degree field of view.
In the end, the continued development of display technology, as well as improvements in connectivity, processing power, and content, will contribute to the realization of Qualcomm’s vision for the future of mixed reality. The company’s dedication to innovation and collaboration with other industry players reinforces its position as a leading force in the field.
