Unistellar, the company behind user-friendly smart telescopes, is launching a Kickstarter campaign for its latest innovation: the Envision smart binoculars. The Envision binoculars combine high-quality optics with augmented reality (AR) features to offer users a personalized and detailed viewing experience.
Unistellar first gained attention with its AI-based eVScope telescope, which allowed people to view the night sky even in areas with high light pollution. The eVScope raised $2.2 million through a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017. Building on this success, Unistellar is now introducing the Envision smart binoculars to the market.
The Envision binoculars integrate AR technology to overlay contextual information directly onto the natural field of view. This means users can explore the night sky like professional astronomers and navigate their surroundings like experienced guides. By connecting to a smartphone via a companion app, the binoculars provide instant access to a comprehensive database of maps and contextual information.
The Envision binoculars offer four modes of use. In Smart Scouting mode, users can see a 3D map overlay on reality, indicating landmarks, water sources, trails, and points of interest during the day. At night, the binoculars provide contextual information about what is interesting in the user’s field of view.
Guided Navigation mode suggests points of interest in the night sky, such as stars and comets, and guides users to them. During the day, visual cues appear in the field of view to guide users toward sought-after points of interest and improve navigation in unfamiliar terrain.
The Shareable Target-Lock mode allows users to lock onto a target in their field of view and then pass the binoculars to friends who will be guided to the same target. This creates a synchronized viewing experience.
For those who prefer a more traditional experience, the Classic Optical mode allows users to turn off the AR overlay and enjoy the binoculars as a high-quality pair of classic optical binoculars.
The Envision smart binoculars are designed to be user-friendly and versatile. They offer intuitive controls and seamless integration with smartphones. The companion app provides a rich database of maps and contextual information, making it an essential tool for both amateur stargazers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Unistellar CEO Laurent Marfisi expressed excitement about expanding people’s exploration capabilities with the Envision binoculars. The company plans to reach out to innovators and pioneers worldwide through a crowdfunding campaign, similar to what they did with the eVScope.
Overall, the Envision smart binoculars from Unistellar offer a unique and immersive way to view the night sky and explore the world around us. With their combination of high-quality optics and augmented reality features, these binoculars are set to revolutionize the way we engage with our surroundings.