When some people think of smart glasses, they might think of video blogger Robert Scoble wearing Google Glass in the shower. But a new set of augmented reality glasses from Osterhout Design Group Inc. is designed to be used in more hazardous locations than Scoble’s bathroom.

Called the R-7HL (“Hazardous Location”), the new pair of smart glasses are a “ruggedized enhancement” of ODG’s existing R-7 that have been designed to be used by professionals in oil exploration and production, energy, mining, utilities, pharmaceuticals and chemical production.

The company said they’re built with reinforced and protective goggle-like eye housing, Military Standard 810G certification for drop, shock, vibration, low pressure and temperature extremes and ANSI Z87.1 dust-proof and splash-proof certification. The new glasses offer heads-up, hands-free checklists, guided assistance tools and manuals, remote assistance support and the delivery of real-time notifications and alerts.

If that checklist isn’t enough, the glasses are also Zone 2 “Intrinsically Safe” certified for use in hazardous locations where flammable gases, vapors or mists are not normally present in an explosive concentration but may materialize.

Behind the rugged packaging, the R-7HL sports similar specs to the base model ODG R-7 including a Qualcomm Snapdragon quad-core processor, removable ear horns, magnetic USB data and power cable. It also sports dual haptic feedback in the temples, meaning that the headset vibrates when a message is received. Visuals include a dual 720p stereoscopic see-through display along with removable clear shields, while the glasses can connect through Bluetooth 4.1 and WiFi with GNSS-based location (GPS/GLONASS) thrown in for good measure.

The R-7HL is available for pre-order today from the ODG website for $3,500, with shipping expected to begin by the end of this quarter.

Image: ODG