Hardware customization of the Lynx

The Lynx-R1 is already a fantastic device which addresses most of the AR and VR use-cases already implemented in enterprises with a strategic vision about immersive technologies (training, remote assistance, inspection, etc.).

That being said, we found that there is still an unsolved problem: a significant section of the professional market is asking for specific, and deep adjustment of Mixed Reality platforms to solve critical, and societal problems.

From the numerous inquiries we received, we've picked three challenges of hardware customization; our goal is to enable and apply Mixed Reality where it is not possible yet, or where it is not acceptable to have cloud computing, and/or data harvesting companies controlling the market.

 

  • Medical

When it comes to such sensitive data as medical data, citizens need to be protected. From our perspective the only (real) solution to address this problem is to avoid conflict of interests; business models of companies selling hardware must be clear, and the hardware platform shouldn't be a door to access the data room... Microsoft, Meta (Facebook), to mention only a few, are tied to business models based on the processing of data with more or less acknowledgment. 

We truly sell hardware, so unlike other so called AR/VR companies we can tackle this matter, particularly well.

 

Early on in the development of the Lynx, we were approached by one of the leading heart surgeons in France. He saw the potential of Mixed Reality for his practice in the OR but also for the training of surgeons in general. The use of the technology could speed up the training process of surgeons dramatically and bring more medical students to the specialty. It’s also an ideal tool for collaboration as remote assistance would allow support from experts from anywhere in the world right from the OR. 

To explore the potential of Mixed Reality in surgery, a consortium was built with Lynx, INSERM (top French Research Institution), and AP-HP (French Hospitals). It is the first step to define how the practice of surgery will evolve in the future and start designing tools and processes to improve surgical procedures.

 Our goal is provide the platform that will suit the surgeons first, and then the overall medical use cases. As always, we will comply with citizen data protection with no trade off.

 

  • Welding / Firefighting

Based in France, we closely witnessed the danger of defects in welding involved in nuclear plants, and the subsequent extra costs.

Based on discussion with experts, field studies and reports, we found that critical weldings, especially for nuclear plants, should be:

- assisted in AR for the welders to monitor, in real time, right in their field-of-view, the most important metrics to be used for a high quality welding (like speed of the welding progression, temperature of the welding bath, etc.)

- casted to (remote) expert(s) for assessment, warnings, and advice.

- recorded / archived for future inspections, analysis, and even accountability. 

At Lynx, we control 100% of the Lynx hardware; so we had the unique opportunity to design a very promising prototype of Mixed Reality headset with HDR camera.

This HDR cameras allow to see in extreme lighting environments. 

Here is a sneak peek of what could be seen when lighting is close to 4000 lux

It is interesting to note that this very same approach (swapping the cameras of Lynx) can allow to see through the smoke; for firefighters this is also a game changer.

 

  • 5G and BIM files for construction engineers

5G will be a game changer for the XR mass adoption, but infrastructure for consumers won't be available anytime soon; probably in 2 years from now.

That being said, experimentations are currently being performed for the enterprises to have an early access to this technology. Indeed, use-cases for businesses are already there.

We are currently exploring a 5G version of the Lynx for construction engineers in collaboration with a major incumbent of the sector. Goal is to be able to inspect  the conformity of a great construction projects directly on field, by comparing BIM files to the real world. Avoid human errors, and speed up the time-to-delivery, are the main expected benefits.  

The differences between the BIM file (and LIDAR scan as well) and reality are highlighted in the Fov with a visual heat-map