The Osterhout Design Group (ODG) recently agreed to a contract with NASA to provide the space agency's astronauts with electronic glasses. ODG will provide astronauts with the glasses for training purposes on Earth, as well as for use as hands-free display devices in space.

The smart glasses run on Android Jelly Bean with ODG's ReticleOS operating system. The glasses project three-dimensional images that allow astronauts to view large swathes of information at a glance.

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It also supports a myriad of other functions like recording and monitoring the position of a particular astronaut, his movement and attitude, and other important data while the astronaut engages in activities like spacewalks.

"As electronic directions and instructions replace paper checklists and longer duration missions are considered, there is a need for tools that can meet evolving demands. ODG's technology provides an opportunity to increase space mission efficiencies and we are pleased to explore its potential in human spaceflight while also advancing its use here on Earth," said Lauri Hansen of NASA.

Hansen remarked that the technology ODG uses provides opportunities to increase the efficiency of space missions. He added that NASA was happy to advancing the use of the technology both here on Earth and also during human spaceflight endeavors.

According to the ODG management team, the company's smart glasses are in their sixth generation and are specifically designed to be used in a broader customer setting, incorporating the company's 3D optics, military-grade technology, and untethered, hands-free use.

TagsNASA Partners with ODG to Develop Reality Glasses for Astronauts, NASA, ODG, Smartglass, spacewalks, 3D smartglass, 3D optics, military-grade technology, ReticleOS operating system, space exploration