Canon Debuts MR Device Concept and XR Software at AWE
Canon has unveiled a concept handheld mixed-reality device, a new augmented-reality waveguide technology, and an XR collaboration software platform at the Augmented World Expo (AWE), expanding its portfolio of enterprise-focused XR technologies.
The announcements were presented alongside the company’s ongoing mixed reality efforts, which have previously included multiple generations of MREAL headsets developed for enterprise applications.
Among the products shown at the event was Canon’s concept model of a pocket-sized mixed reality device. The tethered handheld unit is being developed to deliver high-definition visual performance while preserving compatibility with XR applications.
Canon has not revealed technical specifications for the device. The company announced that the product is still under development and not currently available for purchase. It is also seeking partners that could help bring the device to market.
The concept illustrates a category of handheld viewing devices that has gained popularity in parts of Japan’s enterprise sector. The device was demonstrated at AWE by Canon’s United States division.
Canon also presented a prototype High-Efficiency Waveguide for AR Glasses. The optical waveguide technology was demonstrated in two configurations, one using a microLED display and the other using a microOLED display.
According to the company, the optical glass waveguides provide a 30-degree field of view, an optical coupling efficiency of more than 15,000 nits per lumen, and a transmittance exceeding 85 per cent.
Alongside the hardware announcements, Canon introduced MREAL Collaborator, a new XR software platform for designers in the manufacturing sector.
The software is designed to allow users without specialised 3D computer graphics expertise to operate the system and work with spatial data. Canon stated that the platform enables users to manipulate spatial information through a simplified workflow.
MREAL Collaborator complies with the OpenXR standard, letting users share content across supported XR devices and collaborate between different locations. The platform is meant to support the exchange of spatial data among teams using compatible XR hardware.
The software forms part of Canon’s wider MREAL mixed reality ecosystem, which has been developed for enterprise and industrial use cases. By supporting OpenXR, the platform is intended to operate across a range of compatible XR devices rather than being limited to a single hardware environment.
Canon also announced that a free trial of MREAL Collaborator is scheduled to begin in early July. The company has opened registration for people seeking additional information about the software.
The announcements at AWE covered hardware, optics, and software technologies, highlighting Canon’s continued activity in the enterprise XR sector through the development of mixed-reality devices, augmented-reality components, and joint digital tools.
