Introduction to this Special Issue on Smart Glasses

Abstract

The idea of augmented or virtual reality in combination with head mounted display is being discussed already since at least 1968. However, for a long time, this topic was discussed mainly within the academic research area with only limited effect or uptake in the work place. Primary reason for this was the missing availability of robust and affordable hardware as well as the limited mobile graphics capabilities. This has changed recently with the availability of numerous affordable devices in combination with applications from the entertainment and gaming area.This Special Issue on Smart Glasses presents a mix of recent research papers and reports to provide an overview of ongoing research and developments in work place environments. In the remainder of this introductory paper we present an overview of the history of Smart Glasses and their applications over the last decades. We also clarify the term Augmented Reality in this historic context. Then we present a topology of current products as well as their intended application areas. Finally, we introduce the papers of this issue within this context.