Qualcomm's new AR2 Gen 1 chip allows for slim AR glasses

Source: Qualcomm

Qualcomm has developed a new chip that should make it easier to make lightweight augmented reality glasses. The Snapdragon AR2 Gen 1 processor features a multi-chip design that's said to deliver 2.5 times the AI performance of Qualcomm's XR2-based reference design while using half the power. This should allow the eyewear to intelligently detect objects in a room while keeping a slim and light form factor for hours of use.

Qualcomm spread the computing load across the glasses' frame to make this work. The primary, 4nm-based AR processor includes a CPU, Tensor AI processing, graphics, and engines for features like visual analytics. It can support up to nine simultaneous cameras for tracking your body and what's around you. There's a co-processor in the glasses that adds an AI accelerator for tasks like eye tracking and computer vision. There's also a third chip that handles connectivity to networks and phones. Like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, AR2 Gen 1 is one of the first platforms to support Wi-Fi 7. It isn't just for higher bandwidth (up to 5.8Gbps), it can reduce latency between your phone and the glasses, too (under 2ms).

Qualcomm says hardware built on this chip is in "various stages" of progress from companies like Lenovo, OPPO, Xiaomi, LG, and Nreal. Microsoft has also helped develop the platform, so it won't be surprising to see Microsoft apps and services support these devices.

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