Lightweight Comfort for LLVision's Augmented Reality Glasses
With its new Augmented Reality (AR) glasses, Beijing LLVision Technology Co., Ltd. elevates communication to a new level. Artificial intelligence translates spoken words into visible text in real-time. With these glasses, language barriers and hearing loss can be easily overcome – in a dual sense: Thanks to the lightweight, yet robust and flame-retardant SABIC ULTEM 1000™ from Plastoplan Kunststoffe's portfolio, the entire technology can be elegantly integrated into the thin-walled hollow temples without adding noticeable weight to the glasses.
A Lightweight Among Robust, Inherently Non-Halogenated, and Flame-Retardant Plastics
The LEION Hey glasses combine the use of Artificial Intelligence with the plastics expertise of SABIC and Lenorplastics. This technology enables fast, multilingual translations. The lithium-ion battery and computer chip are integrated into the temples made of SABIC's robust, lightweight, and inherently non-halogenated, flame-retardant ULTEM™ 1000. This innovative material helps minimize weight, ensuring user comfort while simultaneously guaranteeing high strength for the glasses. Only this approach made it possible to integrate all key components with maximum functionality into the temples.
ULTEM 1000 is an unreinforced polymer featuring high heat resistance, high strength, and high modulus, along with good chemical resistance. It is classified according to fire safety standards UL94 V0, V2, and 5VA. The material is used in a customized grey for the AR glasses. However, the plastic can also be offered in many other colors to meet all customer design requirements for eyeglass frames.
“At the beginning of the development phase, our goal was to create the lightest AR glasses on the market. Every gram was crucial for our customers' comfort. However, with all the components required for AR glasses, including the optical module, microphone, and computer chip, this presented a significant challenge. After comparing and testing materials from over 20 suppliers worldwide, we discovered that SABIC's ULTEM was the lightest, offering additional benefits such as strength, elasticity, and inherent, non-halogenated flame retardancy. With the help of ULTEM, we were able to reduce the total weight of our LEION Hey glasses to just 79 grams or 2.8 ounces.” Liang Xianglong, Co-founder and Head of Hardware Department at LLVision
During the selection process, ULTEM prevailed over established materials for eyeglass temples, such as amorphous polyamide (PA). A key factor was that SABIC's polyetherimide (PEI) material offers a balanced ratio of ductility and stiffness. These advantages enabled a weight reduction of the temples by up to 30 percent and provided more space for embedded components. The high-performance plastic offers excellent dimensional stability for efficient assembly and delivers a combination of stiffness and strength for a secure fit of the temples on the head.
“LLVision's AR glasses represent an innovative and effective method to help people communicate more easily and precisely. Our high-performance ULTEM, which has been selected for eyewear applications for over a decade, has helped the company overcome significant challenges in product design and manufacturing. Subject to user testing, any manufacturer of AR or conventional glasses can benefit from ULTEM's low weight and high-strength properties. We look forward to working with LLVision on a next-generation version of the LEION Hey glasses that will utilize a certified renewable, bio-based ULTEM.” Scott Fisher, Director, ULTEM Resins & Additives for SABIC's Specialties business.
