The Apple AR headset will launch in mid-2022 with a lightweight Fresnel lens design, Kuo says

Apple is expected to use Fresnel lenses in its rumored augmented reality headset to increase the device’s field of view and reduce pressure, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

In a note to investors Monday seen by AppleInsider, Kuo says that Apple will use Fresnel lenses as the design solution for the device ‘s ultra – short focus length lenses. That increases the optical performance of the machine while cutting weight and thickness.

“We believe that Apple will further use the Fresnel hybrid lens design to enhance the optical performance of a Fresnel lens (e.g., improve vignetting and optical artifacts), and each hybrid Fresnel lens is made up of three stacked Fresnel lenses,” Kuo said. writing.

The analyst said the micro-OLEDs used in Apple’s head-end device could compensate for the light caused by the adoption of Fresnel lenses. He says that with the high brightness of the micro-OLEDs, and says that the platform could provide an “innovative [augmented reality and mixed reality] experiences. ”

Apple’s proper system could eliminate some of the cases of custom VR or AR headphones with Fresnel lenses, which typically weigh around 300 to 400 grams and sport as a more form factor. greater. One of the main design challenges among VR headset manufacturers is to achieve a fairly thin and lightweight design.

However, Kuo says that one of the main competitive advantages of video-see-through augmented reality devices, such as the “Apple Glass” rumor, is that field-of-sight requirements are typically lower than headsets. VR. Because of this, they can be thinner and lighter.

The analyst says the use of Fresnel lenses will allow Apple to achieve a better balance between the shape factor of its headset and its field of view. The Apple HMD rumor device could weigh around 150 grams or a little less, he said. Each Fresnel hybrid lens for one eye is made up of a stack of three Fresnel lenses. Since each Apple headset uses two Fresnel hybrid lenses, that equates to a total of 10 lenses per device.

“Apple HMD Fresnel lens material is plastic. Because of the custom material and coating, the light transmission is not inferior to glass,” Kuo writes. “It also means that the [average selling price] it is not low. ”

Kuo names Young Optics and Genius as Fresnel lens suppliers for Apple’s headset device. He believes Young Optics is the main supplier, since Apple and the company started working together and investing more resources earlier than Genius.

Earlier in March, Kuo speculated that Apple’s AR headset could feature advanced eye tracking and possibly magazine recognition technology.

Apple is thought to be working on at least two separate headset devices, including a visor-like mixed reality device that Kuo says could be debated in 2022 for an estimate of $ 1,000. That device could then be followed by the thinner and lighter “Apple Glass” in 2025, and by AR contact lenses after 2030.

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