Realwear’s HMT vs Microsoft’s HoloLens

Choosing the right wearable device for your workforce​

​In this world of digital transformation, the emergence of wearable AR technology is providing businesses with more ways than ever before to transfer and share knowledge and information across their workforces – which is turn leads to improvements in processes, resource efficiencies and productivity.​

​Leading the way in the AR world are Realwear’s HMT devices and Microsoft’s HoloLens, both enabling hands free information access and exchange, which also has the potential to increase the safety of your workers.​

Leading technology experts see these devices as complementary to each other rather than direct competitors. Their use and value are very much dependent on your workers’ environment, use cases and the solutions your business is looking to implement.​

So which device is right for you?​

HMT-1 Device

HoloLens

The HMT is a headset device developed specifically for the industrial worker – as such it is fully rugged, meeting IP66 standards. It is drop proof, water resistant and its LCD is easily viewable in direct sunlight as well as in dark and cramped environments.  It has been built for true in-situ use (Real-world focus first, digital focus second).

As a 3D device, HoloLens enables creation of a virtual overlay within the real world.  The 3D element provides an immersive experience, but this also limits its use in specific environments, including outdoors. It has some dust protection but is not rated for drop. It prepares you for going in-situ, rather than being in-situ (Digital focus first, real-world second) 

Designed as a headset to allow industrial user to be focussed on knowledge transfer and access in the real world 

Designed to immerse the user into a mixed reality world by superimposing holograms over the real environment

Further specifications on each device are provided below:

 

Realwear’s HMT 1

Microsoft HoloLens 2

Overview

The RealWear HMT-1 and HMT-1Z1 hands-free, voice operated head-mounted tablet computers are focused on Advanced In-Situation Training in rugged real-world industrial environments.  
Android compatible

The Microsoft HoloLens 2 is a 3D eyewear device, operated by voice or hand, that uses holograms to display information and blend into the real environment, working best in an indoor space.

Windows compatible

Weight

380g

566g

Battery

8-10 hours (1 shift) – hot-swappable

2-3 hours; can recharge to 70% in 15 mins

Camera

16MP and 1080p60 video with digital zoom and stabilisation 

8MP and 1080p30 video 

Memory

16GB internal/ 2GB RAM

4 GB DRAM

Storage

16GB + 128GB microSD

64 GB UFS 2.1

Controlled by

Voice 
Perfect noise cancel (2 mics) to 95db

 Hands and Voice
Noise cancel to 65db (5mics)

Connectivity

WiFi and BLE

WiFi and BLE

Audio

62db built in with jack for PPE-rated audio earbuds

Bone-conductive

Immersive experience

2D so less immersive, but also less intrusive. Displays information adjacent to the wearers field of vision and doesn’t block the environment

Experiences rendered in 3D – more immersive. Some improvement in field of view in latest model

Industrial use

IP66, 100% dustproof and waterproof to 1m. 2m drop proof, can be used in dark and cramped work environments

IP50, some dust protection, not rated for drop. Not optimal in dark environments or cramped spaces

Operating Temps

-20 to +50 degrees C

+10 to +27 degrees C

Training focus

On the job training

Simulated training programs

Use Cases

Visual Assist, Remote Mentor, Document Navigator (workflows, data collection & reporting), Maintenance Asset/IoT, Training  

Remote Support, 3D modelling on site (superimposed views, measurements, tracking walls & objects in room), Inspections, Training, Temperature 

Software

Multiple applications available 
Vendors can customise solutions 

Multiple applications available
Vendors can customise solutions

Summary

Designed as a headset to allow industrial user to be focussed on knowledge transfer in the real world 

Designed to immerse the user into a mixed reality world by superimposing holograms over the real environment

References:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/moorinsights/2019/07/01/realwear-a-force-to-be-reckoned-with-in-enterprise-ar/#1b3da5589461 

https://www.ptc.com/en/success-paths/get-started-vuforia-expert-capture/plan/choose-devices/compare-device-options/how-to-choose-the-right-devices 

https://www.realwear.com/blog/opinion-hololens-2-and-realwear/ 

https://www.intellectsoft.net/blog/microsoft-hololens-usage-in-construction/ 

Contact us here to determine the best device for your business, and how we can support you with implementation to increase efficiencies and business solutions.

Want to know more? Have a friendly alltasksIT staff member contact you.