{ "id": "epcb8m5xty", "slug": "realwear-inc", "title": "RealWear, Inc.", "updated": "2026-10-15", "topic_path": [ { "id": "technology", "label": "Technology and the built world", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology" }, { "id": "technology.communication", "label": "Communications and everyday technology", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology.communication" }, { "id": "technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices", "label": "Consumer electronics and devices", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices" }, { "id": "technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices.smartphones-and-mobile-devices", "label": "Smartphones and mobile devices", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices.smartphones-and-mobile-devices" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.us.t2001.technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices", "label": "United States · 2001 to 2020: Consumer electronics and devices", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001", "label": "United States · 2001 to 2020", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.technology", "label": "Technology and the built world", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.technology" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.technology.communication", "label": "Communications and everyday technology", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.technology.communication" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2001.technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices", "label": "Consumer electronics and devices", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2001.technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices" } ] }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices", "label": "United States · 2021 and later: Consumer electronics and devices", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices", "path": [ { "id": "geo.us", "label": "United States", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021", "label": "United States · 2021 and later", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.technology", "label": "Technology and the built world", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.technology" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.technology.communication", "label": "Communications and everyday technology", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.technology.communication" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices", "label": "Consumer electronics and devices", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices" } ] } ], "excerpt": "RealWear, Inc. is an American wearable technology company founded in 2016 and based in Vancouver, Washington, that makes rugged, voice-controlled head-mounted computers used by BMW, Ford, and Goodyear.", "snippet": "RealWear, Inc. is an American wearable technology company founded in 2016 and based in Vancouver, Washington, that makes rugged, voice-controlled head-mounted computers used by BMW, Ford, and Goodyear.", "node": "technology.communication.consumer-electronics-and-devices.smartphones-and-mobile-devices", "markdown": "# RealWear, Inc.\n\n**RealWear, Inc.** is an American wearable technology company based in [Vancouver, Washington](https://www.edgepedia.org/vancouver-washington), that makes rugged, voice-controlled head-mounted computers for frontline industrial workers. Founded in 2016, it pioneered what it calls assisted reality, a monocular head-worn display operated entirely by voice, and its devices are used by companies including BMW, Ford, Goodyear, and [Colgate-Palmolive](https://www.edgepedia.org/colgate-palmolive).[1](https://www.realwear.com/resources/about-us) • [2](https://www.realwear.com/resources/case-studies/)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Founded / headquarters | 2016; Vancouver, Washington, USA[1](https://www.realwear.com/resources/about-us) |\n| First product | HMT-1 head-mounted tablet, presented January 2017, production device from mid-2017[3](https://realwear.at/en/world-premiere-of-the-realwear-head-mounted-tablet-hmt-1/) |\n| Current flagship line | Navigator 500/520 (Snapdragon 662, 1280 x 720 display, 270 g, IP66) and intrinsically safe Navigator Z1[4](https://shop.realwear.com/products/realwear-navigator-520) • [5](https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-ships-most-advanced-rugged-enterprise-intrinsically-safe-smart-glasses) |\n| Newest device | Arc 3, launched October 28, 2025: 179 g see-through headset with Ari OS voice-first operating system[6](https://www.realwear.com/de/blog/realwear-arc-3) |\n| Acquisition | Almer Technologies (Bern, Switzerland) acquired November 14, 2024, backed by TeamViewer[7](https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-acquires-almer-technologies-backed-by-teamviewer) |\n| Funding | $23.5 million Series C closed June 2022, led by Foundry Group[8](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realwear-raises-23-5m-to-turn-successful-industrial-wearable-into-high-growth-assisted-intelligence-platform-business-301558519.html) |\n| Reach | 5,000 enterprise customers in 60 countries reported at the Navigator 500 launch; 41 of the Fortune 100 using devices as of 2022[9](https://www.realwear.com/blog/first-look-at-the-future-of-assisted-reality-with-realwear-navigator-500) • [8](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realwear-raises-23-5m-to-turn-successful-industrial-wearable-into-high-growth-assisted-intelligence-platform-business-301558519.html) |\n\n## History\n\nRealWear was founded in 2016 with the aim of transforming industrial work through hands-free computing.[1](https://www.realwear.com/resources/about-us) Its first product, the HMT-1 (Head-Mounted Tablet), was presented at a [Silicon Valley](https://www.edgepedia.org/silicon-valley) kick-off event in January 2017 and reached production mid-2017 through the European distributor BARCOTEC.[3](https://realwear.at/en/world-premiere-of-the-realwear-head-mounted-tablet-hmt-1/) The HMT-1 is a fully voice-controlled Android device with a monocular micro-display that sits just below the eye and views like a 7-inch tablet at arm's length; it can be worn with safety glasses or attached to helmets and bump caps.[10](https://legacy.realwear.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/RealWear_CaseStudy_VolvoTrucks_1_4_LR.pdf) An explosion-proof version for oil and gas, chemical, and mining environments was introduced in 2018.[3](https://realwear.at/en/world-premiere-of-the-realwear-head-mounted-tablet-hmt-1/)\n\nAt that launch RealWear reported 5,000 enterprise customers in 60 countries on its HMT-1 and HMT-1Z1 platforms.[9](https://www.realwear.com/blog/first-look-at-the-future-of-assisted-reality-with-realwear-navigator-500)\n\n## Products\n\n**Navigator 500 and 520.** The Navigator 520 is a rugged, voice-controlled assisted reality headset worn around the head or attached to a hard hat. It runs on a [Qualcomm Snapdragon](https://www.edgepedia.org/qualcomm-snapdragon) 662 with 64 GB storage and 4 GB RAM, weighs 270 g, and is rated IP66 and MIL-STD-810H for dust, water, drops, and temperatures from −20 °C to 45 °C.[4](https://shop.realwear.com/products/realwear-navigator-520) Its Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) display shows 1280 x 720 resolution over a 24-degree field of view, a 20 percent larger screen with twice the resolution of the [Navigator](https://www.edgepedia.org/navigator) 500.[4](https://shop.realwear.com/products/realwear-navigator-520) • [11](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/realwear-navigator-520-faqs) The 50-megapixel tiltable camera (Sony LYT-600) can be removed and replaced with an optional FLIR thermal camera module, and a hot-swappable 2600 mAh lithium-polymer battery can be changed in the field without powering down.[4](https://shop.realwear.com/products/realwear-navigator-520) Four noise-canceling microphones maintain voice control in noise up to 100 dBA.[4](https://shop.realwear.com/products/realwear-navigator-520) The Navigator 500/520 series moved to [Android 13](https://www.edgepedia.org/android-13) in October 2024.[12](https://www.realwear.com/blog)\n\n**Navigator Z1.** Announced August 29, 2023 and shipping from January 9, 2024, the Navigator Z1 is an intrinsically safe headset certified to [ATEX](https://www.edgepedia.org/atex) and IECEx standards for use in explosive atmospheres where ordinary consumer electronics are prohibited. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6490 chipset with a built-in AI engine, supports voice recognition up to 100 dBA, and was developed with consultation from i.safe MOBILE, a specialist in intrinsically safe product design.[5](https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-ships-most-advanced-rugged-enterprise-intrinsically-safe-smart-glasses) • [13](https://www.realwear.com/de/press-releases/realwear-introduces-next-gen-intrinsically-safe-wearable-for-frontline-workers) RealWear reported substantial pre-orders from more than a dozen countries in the oil and gas industry, including a sizable order from a major customer in Saudi Arabia.[5](https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-ships-most-advanced-rugged-enterprise-intrinsically-safe-smart-glasses)\n\n**Arc 3.** Launched October 28, 2025, the Arc 3 is a 179-gram headset with a see-through monocular micro-OLED display at double retina resolution and a dual-camera system with wide-angle and zoom lenses. It runs Ari OS, a voice-first operating system in which an on-device [AI agent](https://www.edgepedia.org/ai-agent) called Ari responds to a global \"Hey Ari\" command, adjusts system settings, answers questions, and opens applications in natural language.[6](https://www.realwear.com/de/blog/realwear-arc-3) • [14](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/realwear-arc-3-firmware-release-1.0-release-notes) Ari OS 2.0 was released for the Arc 3 on December 22, 2025.[14](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/realwear-arc-3-firmware-release-1.0-release-notes) The Arc 3 is sold outright or on a 12-month subscription starting at $140 per month through authorized resellers, and pairs with the Arc 3 Base charging station, which takes the device from 20 percent to 80 percent charge in 25 minutes.[15](https://www.realwear.com/devices/arc-3?p=11167)\n\n**Legacy HMT series.** RealWear has declared the HMT-1 and HMT-1Z1 end of support and directs customers to the Navigator 520, Navigator Z1, or Arc 3.[16](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/hmt-release-12.0-firmware-release-notes)\n\n## Software and ecosystem\n\nRealWear devices work with more than 200 voice-optimized applications from solution partners, covering remote expert guidance, digital workflows, IoT data visualization, inspections, and document navigation, all operated by voice commands without scrolling, swiping, or tapping.[17](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/arc3/device-overview) • [11](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/realwear-navigator-520-faqs) Deployment and management run through Ari Business (RealWear Cloud) and mobile device management systems such as Microsoft Intune.[11](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/realwear-navigator-520-faqs) The company has stated it plans to license Ari OS to other hardware manufacturers as a software standard for AR headsets.[6](https://www.realwear.com/de/blog/realwear-arc-3)\n\n## Customers and deployments\n\nDocumented deployments include BMW running [TeamViewer](https://www.edgepedia.org/teamviewer) on RealWear devices across 347 BMW centers to reduce vehicle service times, Volkswagen Group UK reporting a 93 percent boost in repair efficiency with Atheer Lens, Michelin using AMA XpertEye for remote support, and Colgate-Palmolive eliminating travel by having experts collaborate remotely.[2](https://www.realwear.com/resources/case-studies/) Forbes reported in January 2024 that RealWear had sold 15,000 units in the oil and gas industry and that hundreds of BMW mechanics use its see-what-I-see remote expert technology with engineers in Germany.[18](https://www.forbes.com/sites/charliefink/2024/01/14/ar-glasses-at-ces-2024/)\n\n## Funding and corporate events\n\nQualcomm Ventures joined RealWear's Series B in 2019.[19](https://www.qualcommventures.com/insights/case-studies/helping-realwear-engage-empower-and-elevate-frontline-workers/) In June 2022 the company closed a $23.5 million Series C led by [Foundry Group](https://www.edgepedia.org/foundry-group), with participation from Qualcomm Ventures, Kopin, and Columbia Ventures Corporation, announcing a shift from a hardware-centric to a platform-centric company; at that time 41 of the Fortune 100 were using its devices.[8](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realwear-raises-23-5m-to-turn-successful-industrial-wearable-into-high-growth-assisted-intelligence-platform-business-301558519.html) In November 2024 RealWear acquired Almer Technologies, a Swiss maker of ultra-compact AR headsets founded in 2021 as an ETH research project, with financial and strategic backing from TeamViewer, which had been a strategic minority investor in both companies; Almer's founders, Sebastian Beetschen and Timon Binder, joined RealWear's executive team, and TeamViewer CEO Oliver Steil joined RealWear's board.[7](https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-acquires-almer-technologies-backed-by-teamviewer) Dr. Chris Parkinson, RealWear's cofounder, was chief executive at the time of the Z1 launch and the acquisition.[5](https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-ships-most-advanced-rugged-enterprise-intrinsically-safe-smart-glasses) • [7](https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-acquires-almer-technologies-backed-by-teamviewer)\n\n## Independent evaluation\n\nA 2025 study with sixty participants performing tasks in a simulated hazardous cargo ship room compared the RealWear Navigator 520, the Trimble XR10 with HoloLens 2, and a [Google Pixel](https://www.edgepedia.org/google-pixel) 6 smartphone for remote guidance. The Trimble XR10 produced statistically the highest rates of head- and knee-knocker incidents and lower perceived safety, comfort, and usability than the Navigator 520 and the smartphone, although participants wearing either head-mounted display failed to perceive more hazards overall.[20](https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.04075) The result positions the monocular, non-occluding Navigator design as less obstructive than binocular see-through headsets in confined industrial spaces, while confirming that all head-worn displays carry situational-awareness costs that must be addressed before hazardous deployment.[20](https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.04075)\n\n## References\n\n1. [About RealWear, RealWear](https://www.realwear.com/resources/about-us)\n2. [Customer Case Studies, RealWear](https://www.realwear.com/resources/case-studies/)\n3. [World premiere of the RealWear Head Mounted Tablet \"HMT-1\", BARCOTEC](https://realwear.at/en/world-premiere-of-the-realwear-head-mounted-tablet-hmt-1/)\n4. [RealWear Navigator 520, RealWear Shop](https://shop.realwear.com/products/realwear-navigator-520)\n5. [RealWear Ships Most Advanced Rugged Enterprise Intrinsically Safe Smart Glasses, RealWear press release, January 9, 2024](https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-ships-most-advanced-rugged-enterprise-intrinsically-safe-smart-glasses)\n6. [Built for real work, yet effortless to use: The RealWear Arc 3, RealWear Blog, October 28, 2025](https://www.realwear.com/de/blog/realwear-arc-3)\n7. [RealWear acquires smartglasses innovator Almer, backed by TeamViewer, RealWear press release, November 14, 2024](https://www.realwear.com/press-releases/realwear-acquires-almer-technologies-backed-by-teamviewer)\n8. [RealWear Raises $23.5M to Turn Successful Industrial Wearable into High Growth Assisted Intelligence Platform Business, PR Newswire, June 1, 2022](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realwear-raises-23-5m-to-turn-successful-industrial-wearable-into-high-growth-assisted-intelligence-platform-business-301558519.html)\n9. [First Look at the Future of Assisted Reality with RealWear Navigator 500, RealWear Blog, December 13, 2021](https://www.realwear.com/blog/first-look-at-the-future-of-assisted-reality-with-realwear-navigator-500)\n10. [RealWear Case Study: Volvo Trucks, RealWear](https://legacy.realwear.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/RealWear_CaseStudy_VolvoTrucks_1_4_LR.pdf)\n11. [Frequently Asked Questions - RealWear Navigator 520, RealWear Support](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/realwear-navigator-520-faqs)\n12. [RealWear Blog index (Navigator 500/520 Series Now Powered by Android 13, October 3, 2024)](https://www.realwear.com/blog)\n13. [RealWear Introduces Next-Gen Intrinsically Safe Wearable for Frontline Workers, RealWear press release, August 29, 2023](https://www.realwear.com/de/press-releases/realwear-introduces-next-gen-intrinsically-safe-wearable-for-frontline-workers)\n14. [Ari OS 2.0 for Arc 3 Release Notes, RealWear Support](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/realwear-arc-3-firmware-release-1.0-release-notes)\n15. [RealWear Arc 3, RealWear Devices](https://www.realwear.com/devices/arc-3?p=11167)\n16. [Firmware Release 12.0 Release Notes, RealWear Support](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/hmt-release-12.0-firmware-release-notes)\n17. [Device Overview, RealWear Arc 3 Series, RealWear Support](https://support.realwear.com/knowledge/arc3/device-overview)\n18. [AR Glasses Push Limits At CES 2024, Forbes, January 14, 2024](https://www.forbes.com/sites/charliefink/2024/01/14/ar-glasses-at-ces-2024/)\n19. [Helping RealWear Engage, Empower and Elevate Frontline Workers, Qualcomm Ventures](https://www.qualcommventures.com/insights/case-studies/helping-realwear-engage-empower-and-elevate-frontline-workers/)\n20. [Analyzing the Impact of Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Displays on Workers' Safety and Situational Awareness in Hazardous Industrial Settings, arXiv:2503.04075, 2025](https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.04075)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Communications and everyday technology › Consumer electronics and devices › Smartphones and mobile devices*\n\n*Initially written Oct 15, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/realwear-inc", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/realwear-inc.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"RealWear, Inc.\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/realwear-inc. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[RealWear, Inc.](https://www.edgepedia.org/realwear-inc)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/realwear-inc](https://www.edgepedia.org/realwear-inc). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"RealWear, Inc.\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/realwear-inc. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "RealWear, Inc. is an American wearable technology company founded in 2016 and based in Vancouver, Washington, that makes rugged, voice-controlled head-mounted computers used by BMW, Ford, and Goodyear." }