Motorola HC1 is Ahead in Wearable Computing | Channelnomics

Google Glass may usher in a new wave of consumer mobile computing, but Motorola Solutions Inc. is looking to transform wearable enterprise computing technology with its new HC1, a headset that features hands-free computing, heads-up display and interoperability with hosted and cloud-based information.

The HC1, unveiled today at the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C., looks like something out of a science-fiction movie, something like Star Trek?s Borg or some futuristic solder from Aliens. The 1-inch display extends on a flexible arm in front of the user?s eye, providing the equivalent of a 15-inch notebook display. WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity enables the HC1 to connect to multiple devices and networks, giving the user ample access to information and applications.

HC1 is completely hands free. The user navigates the system and activates applications entirely through voice commands and hand gestures. The micro-display only partially covering one eye means the user has full range of normal vision; the display becomes part of the landscape. This adds up to a computing device that virtually melds into the surrounding environment.

And melding into the visual environment is precisely what Motorola is aiming for with HC1. The system is designed for workplaces and tasks with high risk and a need for manual dexterity, such as defense work, utilities, law enforcement, aerospace, energy and telecommunications. By providing users with hands-free access to information, they can check manuals, get instructions and record activity without having to multitasks with a conventional handheld or portable computing device.

Channelnomics had the opportunity to demo the HC1 while it was still in the Motorola Solutions certification center. While straps cover the entire head, it?s uncomfortable and is virtually weightless. The version show was running Windows 7. The voice commands worked well for navigating and application control. However, the responsiveness was noticeably slower than a conventional smartphone or tablet.

The display, built on technology developed by Kopin Corp., is crystal clear. Taking advantage of people?s bicameral vision and natural ability to scale images, the one-inch display looks like a larger screen that is transparent to the real-world background. A blink of the eye, and the image is gone. A slight turn of the pupil and the image is in full view. During the demo, we played ?Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol? on the embedded Windows Player; it wasn?t quite stadium theater quality, but it was comparable to a conventional tablet.

The HC1?s Bluetooth feature allows it to interface with other Motorola mobile computing devices, such as MC75A, MC65 and ES400, which are commonly used in government and manufacturing environments.

The Motorola HC1 isn?t going to be a channel best seller compared to other mobile devices, but it does have interesting applications and potential for rewriting mobile computing in hazardous and labor-intensive enterprise environments. It?s definitely worth a look for solution providers and businesses who want to see the precursor to the hands-free, wearable computing future.

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Source: http://channelnomics.com/2012/10/22/motorola-hc1-wearable-computing/

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