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Ask HN: Anyone Using Augmented Reality, VR, Glasses, Helmets etc. in Industry?

Hacker News Discussion

Here's a summary of the themes discussed in the Hacker News thread:

Wearability and Comfort

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the physical comfort of wearing AR/VR devices for extended periods. The weight, balance, and design of head-mounted displays (HMDs) are critical factors influencing usability. Users compare the Apple Vision Pro (AVP) with other devices like the Oculus Quest 3, highlighting the AVP's perceived front-heaviness as a major drawback, even when compared to heavier but better-balanced alternatives.

  • "The AVP's real problem is that its ergonomics are just shit. As with a bunch of other things, they designed for the ads instead of actual usability, so it's significantly worse than headsets that are actually much heavier, and the earband design with the way-too-far-back connectors and no top connections makes it nigh impossible for third parties to improve on it." (crooked-v)^["crooked-v"]
  • "I just received a evenrealities smart glasses yesterday and it was very cool initially. The live translation feature feels like it’s from the future. I do also own Apple Vision Pros and haven’t worn them in a year, but this feels so much lighter and more wearable for long periods." (forthwall)^["forthwall"]
  • "Pretty impressive to last that long in the AR environment, must be comfortable enough and not bad eye fatigue" (ge96)^["ge96"]
  • "The screens on the AVP really are impressively clear. I've never noticed any eye fatigue. That said, that might be because the thing that always stops me first is how front-heavy the damn thing is." (LordDragonfang)^["LordDragonfang"]
  • "I find the quest 3 with virtual monitors actually pretty good from a text-reading perspective and I can use it for a long time, but that’s using a lower resolution than my native monitors. One thing I think is interesting about it is I don’t need my reading glasses, whereas I very much do when looking at a real monitor. I find the virtual display setup somewhat intolerable for other reasons, though, like the inflexibility about how the displays are arranged, and there’s the physical bit about having a bulky HMD on." (hamburglar)^["hamburglar"]
  • "Weight: To achieve powerful computation like that of the HoloLens, you need powerful processing. The simplest solution to this is to put the processing in the device, which adds weight to it. The HoloLens 2 weighs approximately 566g (or 1.24lb), which is a LOT of weight compared to a pair of traditional glasses, which weigh approximately 20-50g. Speaking as someone who developed with the HL2 for a few years, all-day wear with the device is uncomfortable and untenable. The weight of the device HAS to be comfortable for all-day use, otherwise it hinders adoption." (quantumquetzal)^["quantumquetzal"]
  • "I like the standard Apple straps in a pinch. But my face needs a serious break from the weight they distribute on it, every 30-120 minutes." (Nevermark)^["Nevermark"]

Use Case: Virtual/Extended Monitors for Productivity

A dominant theme is the potential for AR/VR devices to serve as replacements or supplements for physical multi-monitor setups, particularly for remote workers or digital nomads. Users discuss using devices like the AVP and Oculus Quest 3 for virtual desktop environments, viewing them as a way to gain "more monitor space" without the bulk of physical screens. However, the practicality of this for long work sessions, especially concerning text readability and eye strain, is still debated.

  • "I use Apple Vision Pro for work every day, ~8h/day. And by 'for work' I mean: I use it as an extended monitor, I don't write any software related to AVP." (Mystery-Machine)^["Mystery-Machine"]
  • "I am actively looking into an Oculus 3 for a virtual desktop environment that I can use portably, such as in an Airbnb, instead of lugging around a 43" 4K monitor. I'm also looking at projectors for this purpose. The context is remote work." (geocrasher)^["geocrasher"]
  • "This is the only use case I have for the Apple Vision Pro, and it works quite well for that, paired with my 16" M3 Macbook Pro." (woadwarrior01)^["woadwarrior01"]
  • "I could see a frequent traveler using an AVP as a 'full setup' on the go. In my experience, I can get away with most with a MacBook. Some projects really benefit from the extra screen real estate (and a mechanical keyboard.)" (jona777than)^["jona777than"]
  • "For me, the problem is that if I don't see it, it doesn't exist. Slack, server monitoring, other communications channels, they all take up real estate. My daily driver is a 43" 4K monitor. Basically 4x 24" 1080p monitors in one. It's the exact opposite of portable. I can get any task done with my laptop. But not a full day's work. And if I want to travel while I work (which I would like to do) then I need a better solution." (geocrasher)^["geocrasher"]
  • "I am currently traveling and for the past few weeks have been using an Oculus 3 with Immersed (https://immersed.com/). Pleasantly surprised how usable it is for 3-6 hour stretches, more productive than just a laptop screen alone. At home I'll likely return to physical monitors though." (garethsprice)^["garethsprice"]
  • "It's good enough for watching videos, but for working and reading text, I personally haven't used a device with high enough text quality to prevent eye strain." (gavinray)^["gavinray"]
  • "For me, the Vision Pro is my main machine now (supported by a MacBook Pro). And I absolutely love it. Which is saying something. My second most ergonomic situation is a 120" screen with two 55" screens tilting in from both sides (both in portrait, so all 3 screen verticals line up). All wall mounted. I started wall mounting to get screens off my desk, at which point it was clear bigger was always better. But for the Vision it took many rounds of trying third party head gear, and customization, before I could wear it comfortably for unlimited time. I just kept trying things until I got there." (Nevermark)^["Nevermark"]

Social Acceptability and Appearance

The "spaceman" effect or the visual conspicuousness of wearing AR/VR devices in social or professional settings is raised as a barrier to widespread adoption. Users are concerned about how they look to others, particularly in video calls or public interactions. This ties into the design philosophy of devices, with a preference for sleeker, less obtrusive form factors.

  • "Do you ever have to be on video calls? I can't talk to clients looking like a spaceman" (FredPret)^["FredPret"]
  • "Social Acceptability: This is where I have some expertise, as it was the subject of my research. Simply put, if a wearer feels as though they stand out by wearing an XR device, they're hesitant to wear it at all when interacting with others. This means that an XR device must not be ostentatious, as the Apple Vision Pro, HoloLens, MagicLeap, and Google Glass all were." (quantumquetzal)^["quantumquetzal"]
  • "In terms of limited displays with social acceptability, there are the Vuzix Z100 (...), and Even Realities G1 (...), which can display basic information (that still has a lot of utility!)." (quantumquetzal)^["quantumquetzal"]

Iterative Improvements and Future Potential

There's a consensus that while current AR/VR technology is impressive, it's still evolving. Users are looking forward to future iterations, expecting improvements in comfort, battery life, processing power, and social acceptance. The idea of offloading computation to external devices or relying on improved battery technology is seen as a path to more wearable and functional AR glasses.

  • "Next up is trying to extend it with custom software" (forthwall)^["forthwall"]
  • "Maybe in a few years!" (FredPret)^["FredPret"]
  • "As an owner of the Vuzix Z100 and a former developer in the XR space, the progress is slow, but steady. The rapid improvements in machine learning (specifically in STT, TTS, and image understanding) indirectly improve the AR space as well." (quantumquetzal)^["quantumquetzal"]
  • "Later this year, Google/Samsung are due big AR releases, so is Meta I think as well. It'll be the debut of Android XR." (gavinray)^["gavinray"]
  • "I think that eventually VR/AR will be a superior screen-viewing experience, but from what I've tried it's not there yet. It's good enough for watching videos, but for working and reading text, I personally haven't used a device with high enough text quality to prevent eye strain. I'm very bullish on AR though, and I'm willing to bet that consumer grade devices which are genuinely comfortable to work in will become available within the next 2-3 years." (gavinray)^["gavinray"]
  • "To me, AR is the next step in Human-Computer Interaction while we wait for full BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) devices." (gavinray)^["gavinray"]

Hardware Modifications and Accessories

To overcome the inherent limitations of stock hardware, users are exploring various modifications and accessories. This includes aftermarket head straps, external batteries, and even custom facial interfaces to improve comfort and extend usage time. The availability and effectiveness of these third-party solutions are crucial for unlocking the full potential of these devices.

  • "You can put a ton of weight on your head with perfect comfort as long as it's balanced properly." (crooked-v)^["crooked-v"]
  • "The closest thing I've seen to making it comfortable is the third-party ResMed Kontor headstrap, and that's being produced in such low numbers that it's functionally impossible to actually buy." (crooked-v)^["crooked-v"]
  • "Try to find a way to try various facial interfaces and head strap arrangements. The stock ones can be uncomfortable for longer-term usage on many people's faces." (aerostable_slug)^["aerostable_slug"]
  • "Also, extended batteries mean you can't easily rest your head in a chair." (aerostable_slug)^["aerostable_slug"]
  • "Tips: Get an upgraded headband, silicone face cover and carrying case. Use a physical USB connection for lower latency (& turn off the wifi/bluetooth as it's no longer needed)." (garethsprice)^["garethsprice"]
  • "But for the Vision it took many rounds of trying third party head gear, and customization, before I could wear it comfortably for unlimited time. I just kept trying things until I got there." (Nevermark)^["Nevermark"]
  • "I just kept trying things until I got there." (Nevermark)^["Nevermark"]
  • "(Recommend expansion batteries that clip on the original, and round magnetic USB-C cable adapters, for more spontaneous mobility.)" (Nevermark)^["Nevermark"]

Battery Life and Power Management

The duration of a device's battery life is a critical factor for its utility, especially for extended work sessions or travel. Users discuss the trade-off between device weight (which influences comfort) and the size of the onboard battery. Some suggest external battery solutions or hip-mounted power packs to overcome this limitation.

  • "Battery: Ironically, making the device smaller to accommodate all-day wear means that you're simultaneously reducing its battery life, which reduces its utility as an all-day wearable: any onboard battery must be smaller, and thus store less energy. This is a problematic trade-off: you don't want the device to weigh too much that people can't wear it, but you also don't want the device to weigh too little that it ceases to have function." (quantumquetzal)^["quantumquetzal"]
  • "Also, extended batteries mean you can't easily rest your head in a chair." (aerostable_slug)^["aerostable_slug"]
  • "Bring replacement batteries and a charger for the controllers." (garethsprice)^["garethsprice"]
  • "But why not some sort of hip-clip and cable for battery, or some sort of laser-tag vest with a Mac mini on the front and a battery on the back? I mean- even the Sony Walkman started with audio streaming from a hip-mounted computer/power device, especially for work/industrial usage?" (ramses0)^["ramses0"]
  • "(Recommend expansion batteries that clip on the original, and round magnetic USB-C cable adapters, for more spontaneous mobility.)" (Nevermark)^["Nevermark"]

Alternatives and Niche Applications

Beyond the primary use case of extended monitors, other applications of AR/VR are mentioned, such as entertainment (movies, gaming) and specialized tools like live translation. Some users are also considering non-XR alternatives like portable projectors for their remote work needs.

  • "I received a evenrealities smart glasses yesterday and it was very cool initially. The live translation feature feels like it’s from the future." (forthwall)^["forthwall"]
  • "I love it for movies or gaming where I can lay down and easily readjust it, but it's just no good for sitting/standing over long periods." (crooked-v)^["crooked-v"]
  • "I am actively looking into an Oculus 3 for a virtual desktop environment that I can use portably, such as in an Airbnb, instead of lugging around a 43" 4K monitor. I'm also looking at projectors for this purpose." (geocrasher)^["geocrasher"]
  • "The Viture's I use as a lightweight alternative to VR headsets like the Meta Quest. I lay down on the couch/in bed and watch videos while wearing them." (gavinray)^["gavinray"]
  • "The Vuzix are meant to be daily-wear glasses with a HUD, have yet to break them in." (gavinray)^["gavinray"]