Epson and DJI will create a unique augmented reality solution for drone control

Epson, the developer of the Moverio augmented reality video glasses, has announced a partnership with DJI, the world’s leading manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles drones, UAVs . Companies plan to co-develop new applications for piloting DJI drones with Moverio BT-300 video glasses.

The partnership involves improving the safety of DJI drone flight control with ErsonMotionBT-300 video glasses, and marks the first mass-market drone control application for augmented reality video glasses.

As the first step, DJI will optimize the popular DJI GO app for the Epson Moverio BT-300 video glasses. Wearing the glasses, users will be able to see a clear image from the drone’s camera, as well as directly observe the drone’s flight itself, thanks to the fact that the displays in Moverio video glasses are transparent. DJI GO app is compatible with DJI Platform, Inspire and Matrice series drones, as well as DJI Osmo system.

By the end of 2016, the Epson Moverio BT-300 will be certified as an official DJI drone accessory. Moverio BT-300 video glasses will be available for order at DJI.com, and the DJI GO app will be available for download on Moverio Apps Market.

The solution from Epson and DJI meets European aviation agencies’ requirements for drones, in particular the principle that UAVs must remain within the pilot’s line of sight.

In addition to enhancing the safety of UAV piloting, the integrated video glasses and drone project provides users with a new augmented reality tool for work in fields such as construction, agriculture, emergency services, environmental protection, scientific research, filmmaking, and many others.

“The Epson Moverio BT-300s make drone control and shooting more convenient and safe, and importantly, help users comply with European UAV control regulations,” commented Michael Perry, Director of Strategic Partnerships at DJI. – “We’re looking forward to completing impressive new applications for the Epson Moverio BT-300 video glasses. With a special DJI SDK development kit – the possibilities are truly endless.”.

Yuri Artyukh, Wearable Devices Manager at Epson Europe’s New York office, says: “This is a landmark event for us – this is the first time that augmented reality glasses will be available to mass-market users. Partnership with DJI could be a turning point for the fast-growing UAV segment. High-sensitivity sensors in the Epson Moverio BT-300 allow the pilot to simultaneously capture images from the drone’s camera without losing sight of the drone itself. You can focus on the task at hand and make quicker decisions based on what’s going on around you.”.

Epson Moverio BT-300 is the world’s lightest binocular transparent augmented reality video glasses with OLED displays. Combining unique Si-OLED technology and Android OS 5.1, the Moverio BT-300 allows the full potential of augmented reality applications.

Epson Moverio BT-300 will go on sale in late 2016.