Choose the best Smart Glasses: AR, Voice or Gesture Control and Atex

The adoption of industrial smart glasses is steadily growing, with more and more companies recognizing the advantages of wearable technology for maintenance, remote support, and field training. Hands-free operation, 2D and 3D augmented reality, voice control, and real-time connectivity all contribute to increased productivity, safety, and operator efficiency.

Today’s market offers a wide range of devices, each with its own unique features. This guide includes models like the RealWear Navigator 520, Vuzix Blade 2, Epson Moverio BT-45 (discontinued but still compatible with Acty), and more—helping you select the industrial smart glasses that best meet your needs.

Assessing your work environment

One of the most important factors when choosing smart glasses is the environment in which they’ll be used. Industrial settings can be extremely demanding, so the hardware must be able to withstand tough conditions while keeping the user safe. Some key factors include:

• Lighting: Poor lighting can affect camera performance and AR element quality. If glasses will be used in low-light environments, ensure the camera specs are up to the task. Models like the Vuzix M4000 or RealWear Navigator 520 perform well even in challenging lighting conditions.
• Ambient Noise: If voice control or text-to-speech features are critical, opt for models with noise cancellation. Also consider compatibility with other safety gear like noise-canceling headphones or earmuffs. RealWear and Vuzix offer advanced voice control with noise reduction.
• Water and Dust Protection: Look for glasses with an appropriate IP rating to ensure resistance to dust, dirt, and moisture. Devices like the RealWear Navigator Z1 and HMT-1Z1 are ATEX certified for explosive environments and offer IP66 protection.
• Extreme Temperatures: In cold storage or steel production, choose rugged glasses built for extreme temperatures. Models like the RealWear HMT-1 are ideal for harsh environments.
• PPE Compatibility: In explosion-risk areas, select glasses compliant with ATEX-certified safety standards. RealWear works well with helmets, prescription glasses, and earmuffs.

Discover how to reduce machine downtime during maintenance and how AR smart glasses enhance field service operations.

Evaluating safety and comfort

After assessing environmental factors, consider user comfort and wearability. Getting buy-in from your team is key to project success. Here are some key comfort-related considerations:

01. Weight and fit

If comfort is a top priority, lightweight models like the Vuzix M400, M4000, Blade 2, and M300XL (all under 100g) are ideal. On the other hand, models like the RealWear Navigator or Epson Moverio BT-45CS offer enhanced durability and advanced features at the cost of added weight.

02. Use with prescription or safety glasses

RealWear and Vuzix M400/M4000/Blade 2 are designed to be worn over prescription or safety glasses. Models like Epson BT are not compatible with additional eyewear.

03. Use with hardhat

RealWear Navigator 520/500, Z1, HMT-1, HMT-1Z1, and Epson BT-45C/BT-45CS are designed to integrate with industrial safety helmets.

Acty is the only software on the market that brings 3D Augmented Reality to RealWear smart glasses.

Key Feature Comparison

Once you’ve defined your workplace and workforce requirements, you can evaluate which device specs best suit your needs.

01. Display

Smart glasses offer monocular or binocular displays. Monocular displays are less obtrusive, allowing users to stay hands-free and focused, though their smaller screen can make it harder to view small objects. Binocular displays offer a broader field of view and immersive experience but can impact real-world visibility.

• Monocular: RealWear, Vuzix – lightweight with targeted view
• See-through displays: Vuzix M4000 and Epson BT-45
• Binocular: Epson Moverio – for more immersive viewing

02. Controller type

Smart glasses can be operated via touchpad or hands-free voice control—ideal for workers operating machinery.

• Voice control: RealWear, Vuzix
• Touchpad: Epson, Vuzix
• Hybrid control: Vuzix Blade 2 (touch + voice)

03. Battery life

Like any mobile device, battery life is key. RealWear supports hot-swapping. Vuzix offers replaceable batteries, though not always during use.

04. Operating System

Smart glasses use different operating systems depending on the manufacturer. Android is the most common.

• Android: RealWear, Vuzix, Epson

The Right Software for Your Smart Glasses

Acty is remote support software built for the industrial world and compatible with all listed models. Acty offers:

• White-label options
• Smart bandwidth management for low-connectivity areas
• 3D Augmented Reality remote support
• Automatic voice translation in 120+ languages
• QR code recognition for quick machine ID

Remote video support software Acty integrates seamlessly with industrial smart glasses. Explore the main features and benefits.