Edgybees Ltd., a provider of augmented reality real-time visual intelligence technology, today announced the launch of its Argus platform and developer tools.

The platform is designed to allow developers and engineers at industrial sites to implement AR capabilities quickly to help workers increase situational awareness in operational environments such as in the field, work sites and warehouses.

Edgybee’s technology provides this situational awareness by overlaying computer generated graphics over real-time video of sites from cameras. The computer graphics displays geospatial and situational information that can be “seen” by workers. That includes the ability to provide an “X-ray” view of structures hidden by the ground or other objects, ghostly outlines of where equipment should be placed or even guide-lines projected on the ground or in the air to help with directing traffic.

“The potential for augmented reality beyond the entertainment sector is endless, especially as video becomes an essential medium for organizations relying on drone footage or closed-circuit television,” said Adam Kaplan, co-founder and chief executive of Edgybees. “As forward-thinking industries look to make sense of all the data at their fingertips, we’re giving developers a way to tailor our offering and set them up for success.”  

Argus will provide developers the tools to create applications for any operating system that can take spatial data, and other important information, to create user interfaces and visualizations that portray that data in an understandable manner. These tools will allow developers and engineers to tailor Edgybee’s technology to whatever specific needs of the industry or operation.

The software Edgybee’s provides is already being used across numerous industries and situations, including combating wildfires, aiding search-and-rescue missions in the wake of hurricanes and enhancing TV broadcasts of golf tournaments.

“Companies and organizations have access to more data than ever before, but don’t know how to maximize its potential to bolster their success,” said Menashe Haskin, Edgybees’ chief technology officer.

Argus, which stands for “Augmented Reality Ground Underlying System,” delivers a software-only AR platform that incorporates highly accurate georegistration and an open system that operates with Global Information System data, video sources and numerous AR devices, including headsets and handheld devices such as smartphones, tablets and other imaging systems. The underlying software gains access to all the data points, connects people for collaboration and also allows swift, easy deployment.

“Using a combination of sensor fusion and advanced computer vision in collaboration with GIS databases, we present not just the data, but also actionable insights that can increase profits, enhance performance and regulation compliance, and even save lives,” Haskin added.

According to a report from MarketsAndMarkets.com, the global market for AR was $350 million in 2018. The technology’s market realization has been slow because of the complex nature of its implementation.

Edgybee’s technology works well in this market, the company said, because its software-only approach is hardware-agnostic and can follow the adoption of headsets and mobile device AR implementations into business.

Other enterprise AR technology companies, such as Scope AR and Upskill, make use of custom-built AR smart glasses as well as those built by big outfits such as Microsoft Corp.’s HoloLens technology.

Image: Edgybees