Last year, many projects related to virtual reality were presented, but many large companies are more positive about the augmented reality. The most promising development in this area is Microsoft HoloLens, and the first more or less massive product can be called Google Glass, which did not reach the broad sale. A group of researchers from the University of Bremen, Google and Hasselt University have found another way to apply this technology - in a smart clock. They created a prototype called WatchThru, equipped with an additional transparent display.

Researchers have proposed several options for using the development. First - help with navigation. The arrow on the transparent screen can indicate the direction to the desired location while moving through the university building. The second example is more complicated and consists in displaying virtual information on top of real objects. To do this, different sensors are used to track the clock and the user's head. For example, if you put the clock on the board, they will show which contacts you want to connect.

Unfortunately, the convenience of using such watches in comparison with smart glasses or a helmet of augmented reality is very doubtful, since the user must constantly keep his hand in front of him, and the image on the screen is very small.