LILYGO’s T-Glass: A Low-Cost Espressif ESP32 Platform for Head-Up Display Projects

LILYGO has announced the T-Glass, a new device designed to simplify the development of head-up displays for wearable projects. This innovative kit is powered by the Espressif ESP32-S3 chip and has features that offer significant value for wearable technology enthusiasts.

The new kit, brought to our attention by Linux Gizmos, is designed to provide a low-cost platform for experimentation with head-up display systems. The T-Glass kit is a DIY solution for creating prism display glasses, featuring an Espressif ESP32-S3 microcontroller, a microphone, an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensor, and a prism display. According to LILYGO, this platform is designed to provide a cost-effective means for experimenting with head-up display systems. The T-Glass is based on the company’s previous T-Wristband platform and utilizes the same microcontroller: an Espressif ESP32-S3 FN4R2 with 2MB of QSPI-connected pseudo-static RAM (PSRAM) and 4MB of flash storage.

One of the standout features of the T-Glass is its 1.1″ AMOLED display with a resolution of 294×126 pixels. This is similar to the display used in the T-Wristband but with a slightly smaller visible area of 126×126 pixels due to the prism’s inclusion. The prism transforms the display into a head-up display, making it appear as if the information is floating in front of the user’s eyes, remaining visible regardless of head movement.

The T-Glass also incorporates a Bosch BHI260AP six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU), which includes an integrated machine-learning coprocessor. This coprocessor enables on-sensor positional tracking and activity recognition without engaging the microcontroller, enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of the device. Additionally, the T-Glass features an integrated microphone, a real-time clock, and a single button to serve as a touch interface. However, it does not include a speaker.

With its combination of advanced features and affordability, the LILYGO T-Glass offers a compelling option for those interested in developing wearable head-up displays, providing a solid foundation for a wide range of experimental and practical applications in the realm of wearable technology.

On the software front, the T-Glass is designed to be used with the LVGL embedded graphics library, and the company provides MIT-licensed sample projects on GitHub covering the use of the clock, button, microphone for voice activity detection, and IMU for motion tracking.

The T-Glass is now available to pre-order on the LILYGO store at $41, with shipping scheduled to begin in July.

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