Microsoft patents swappable batteries for AR glasses

Microsoft’s recently approved patent for augmented reality (AR) glasses shows a swappable battery that could make it a top choice among buyers when it becomes available. The patent was published last week, MSPowerUser reported.

AR glasses are considered the next frontier of mobile technology that promises to replace smartphones today. About a decade ago, Google attempted to develop something along these lines and released its Glass to the public. However, high costs and limited functionality led to its ultimate demise, even though the concept continues to thrive.

Consumer tech giant Apple has big plans in this segment but has delayed its entry as it believes that the technology to make a viable product is still not ready. From what it appears now, Microsoft also plans to enter the fray and is looking for innovations to make its offering stand out.

Lessons from VR headsets

Microsoft dipped its toes in the mixed reality (MR) market in 2016 with its HoloLens, which also saw an iterative product launched four years ago. Besides a few use cases, Microsoft could not push the product to many customers. Attempts to find military use for these headsets weren’t without hiccups either.

One of the major hindrances to getting customers to use the headset for long periods was the weight of the device itself, much of it coming from the battery back. The other was the limitation on how much charge the battery could carry and the need to recharge the device before it could be used again.

For its AR glasses, Microsoft can not only work with a smaller battery pack but is also working to make it easier to charge it without having to stop using the device.

Hot-swappable battery

As per the recently published patent, Microsoft’s new AR glasses have a modular design. This means that the battery can be placed in the temple section of the glasses or even in a detachable earpiece worn by the user.

The design allows the user to continue using the glasses while the second battery is charged and extends the device’s usability throughout the day or perhaps even longer. A smaller battery will also decrease the glasses’ weight, making it easier to use them for extended hours.

Interestingly, Microsoft isn’t stopping at just the battery placement in the design but is working to connect the glasses to other accessories, such as necklaces and even backpacks. These connections could be made using Wi-Fi or even Li-Fi in the future, allowing the powerhouse of computing and storage to be placed elsewhere. At the same time, the glasses only do the job of displaying and collecting information to process.

Considering the explosion of remote working, AR glasses could open new areas where people interact in virtual environments to complete tasks at hand without having to travel to work sites.

If Microsoft could bring these ideas to reality soon, it would be a top choice for users looking to move away from their smartphones.