Founded in 1999, the ODG (Osterhout Design Group) has thrived as a tech incubator specializing in high-performance electronics in a small form factor. Today they build mobile wearable tech and products for virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. ODG previously brought their augmented R-7 smart glasses to market featuring 64gb of storage, Bluetooth functionality, and even an HD camera all running on a custom operating system built on Android Kit-Kat.
Now, they’ve announced a “hazardous location” version of the R-7 that will bring some added productivity and efficiency to more dangerous work environments.
The R-7HL is a powerful piece of tech that brings wearable mobility and power to those involved in mining, chemical production, oil production and exploration, energy, and utilities. The smart glasses include all of the functionality of the original R-7, a device in which 50% of its market consisted of workers in harsh environments. The certification for the R-7HL, called HAZLOC, tests criteria surrounding dust, shock, vibration, splash, temperature, and pressure extremes.
“As with the smartphone, the demand is there for robust and rugged devices that can aid productivity, but the benefit with smart glasses is that your hands are free and your head is up, bringing even greater efficiencies and safety protection,” said Mike Jude, Ph.D., Research Manager for Frost & Sullivan in an excerpt from ODG’s press release for the announcement. “We have had the opportunity to review the ODG R-7 and were very impressed with its capabilities. The new R-7HL offers the R-7’s capabilities in a new hardened package perfect for extreme environments. ODG’s heritage in the space, and existing customer relationships, positions them well for continued success in bringing real value to the enterprise.”
Starting today, the R-7HL costs $3,500 and can be preordered now by submitting a form to ODG detailing your use for the product. It will begin shipping by the end of the 2nd quarter of 2017.
