Industry On The Move: Lenovo Unleashes Platform, Headset For AR Apps

The big news that received the most attention from Lenovo Accelerate 2019 is that the technology company unveiled its first foldable PC laptop. However, for the enterprise, there was a more significant announcement that deserves some recognition.

What Did Lenovo Announce This Week?

In front of thousands of attendees in Orlando, Lenovo disclosed its new augmented reality (AR) solution for the enterprise. Dubbed ThinkReality, the new sub-brand features both software and hardware components that are designed to help enterprises enable AR applications for employees.

The ThinkReality A6, the first device in the new line, is a hands-free headset built with a mobile visor. It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform, which allows 3D graphics to be placed onto real environments. It also sports a 40-degree diagonal field of view with 1080p resolution per eye.

Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the device is the weight — it’s 380g (0.83lbs) — which is one of the lightest AR headsets today. By placing components of the device onto a separate belt worn by users, Lenovo was able to minimize the weight of the headset.

In addition to the headset, there is also a ThinkReality platform that is both device and cloud agnostic. With the platform, the organization will be able to integrate and manage AR apps across multiple operating systems and devices.

Although this is far from the first AR solution released by Lenovo, it is the first one geared for the enterprise. Pricing has not been announced yet, but the solution will be rolled out in a limited release during the 3rd quarter of 2019.

“The way that we interact is changing, and work is transforming,” the company stated in a video hyping the technology. “Our advanced AR software tools empower engineers to create applications across industries to solve problems in ways that were previously unimaginable. Our next generation devices, combined with this software platform, are making this transformation happen in inconceivable ways.”

In addition to the AR platform, Lenovo also announced other pertinent enterprise news at its conference, such as solutions for edge computing and the Internet of Things (IoT).

What This Means For The Enterprise

There are several manufacturers who offer AR capabilities to enterprises, but Lenovo’s announcement has the potential to revolutionize the experience. The new platform simplifies the process of enterprises deploying AR apps to workers, and the hardware agnostic capability makes it compatible across the board.

The light weight of the device can be extremely beneficial for workers in the field. Employees often experience fatigue while wearing a heavy headset for a long period of time, so this device provides an extra degree of comfort.

Any enterprise exploring AR applications could benefit from this solution, particularly those industries that require workers to be hands free in the field. For example, the solution could aid employees in the industrial field who are fixing machines and while simultaneously viewing instructions. Lenovo said that the device could reduce repair times, cut down on errors, streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and improve productivity.