Toshiba recently announced the release of new technology designed to combine the power of edge computing with assisted reality
Edge devices are typically viewed as self-contained computing device that offer little user interaction, but Toshiba’s portable dynaEdge DE-100 device combines with AR100 Viewer smart glasses to combine the power of edge computing with wearable technology.
Use Cases
Toshiba’s new technology offers excellent portability. The smart glasses are easy to wear, and the computing device is lightweight and simple to slip into a pocket. Although it’s being marketed as a general purpose device, Toshiba is placing an early emphasis on manufacturing and maintenance, fields that require workers to move around large areas. Logistics is a focus as well, as the camera, especially when combined with GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth capabilities, allows for better tracking and management compared to more traditional solutions. With up to 6.5 hours of battery life, this technology lasts for most of the day and can be swapped out if needed. Training is likely to be a popular use case as well, as the glasses can deliver information while keeping the user’s hands free.
We spoke to David Sims from Toshiba to find out more about the device.
David Sims from @ToshibaUK explains how they’re combining #EdgeComputing & #Wearables with the first of a kind, windows-driven assisted reality glasses. #IIoT pic.twitter.com/jBYpaZE7Hi
— TechNative (@TechNative) March 22, 2018
Powerful Capabilities
There’s plenty of power in Toshiba’s new device. With a 6th generation Intel Core vPro processor, up to sixteen gigabytes of RAM, and 512 gigabytes of SDD storage, this portable device can perform complex tasks that go beyond the capabilities of many edge computing devices. Furthermore, it runs Windows 10, a first for an edge device of its type, proving excellent software compatibility. Skype for Business is supported, making the DE-100 a great device for communicating. Other Windows applications can be used as well, which might let some workers who were dependent on laptops use their smart glasses instead.
Also supported is the Toshiba Vision DE Suite, which allows frontline viewers to share files in addition to live video and images, making collaboration easier even across a large area. Toshiba’s partnership with Ubimax, a market leader providing enterprise software for smart glasses, makes their innovative product compelling for an ever deeper integration into a companies’ workflows.