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Smart Glasses & AR/VR

A new frontier in human-machine interfaces powered by TDK custom sensing solutions

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Frames packed with intelligence & promise

Smart glasses and AR/VR headsets are rapidly moving into the mainstream, emerging as the next major human–machine interface. From manufacturing environments that streamline workflows to healthcare applications such as remote patient monitoring and telemedicine, these devices are transforming how people interact with information and the world around them.

TDK’s advanced sensing technologies bring smart glasses to life. Our custom-built IMU, the ICM-45685, is designed specifically for smart eyewear and wearable applications, delivering real-time motion tracking in a compact, ultra-low-power form factor. Combined with precision motion sensing, high-fidelity microphones, ultrasonic Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensing, and intelligent on-chip processing, TDK solutions enable seamless interaction, accurate tracking, and context-aware experiences, helping users see, hear, and act in ways never before possible.

 

A complete sensor-stack enabling a smarter vision

Explore smart glasses and AR/VR features unlocked by our sensing solutions
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Built-in precise motion tracking

On-chip gyro assisted fusion delivers highly accurate, responsive motion sensing 

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Smarter processing, lower power

Run multiple algorithms at once with optimized power and memory efficiency 

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Natural voice interaction

Bone-conduction sensing enables intuitive, reliable speech detection 

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Stabilized imaging, clearer results

Built-in support for optical and electronic image stabilization improves camera performance 

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Reliable tracking in real-world motion

Reduce false motion triggers, even in dynamic, vibration-heavy environments 

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High fidelity audio

Capture clear voice and rich sound with high-SNR microphones, enabling reliable voice commands, calls, and audio experiences

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iSee smart glasses in action

Watch our sensor solutions in action through our partner products 

Smart glasses and AR/VR in action

The cutting edge in consumer, enterprise & industrial applications

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Consumer applications

Enhance everyday experiences with augmented reality

Smart glasses are bringing augmented reality into everyday life, blending digital information with the physical world. These devices enable immersive entertainment, wellness tracking, and new ways to interact with media and connected devices.

  • View contextual information such as directions, notifications, and messages through AR overlays
  • Track movement and activity for fitness, wellness, and outdoor navigation experiences
  • Enjoy immersive gaming, media streaming, and social interactions in augmented environments
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Industrial applications

Improve maintenance, inspection, and operational efficiency

In industrial environments, smart glasses support safer and more efficient operations by delivering contextual information directly to workers. AR overlays guide operators through complex tasks while keeping their hands free for critical work.

  • Follow AR-guided maintenance and repair instructions during equipment servicing
  • Perform visual inspections with step-by-step overlays and contextual alerts
  • Monitor equipment and workflows while maintaining full situational awareness on the job
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Enterprise applications

Enable hands-free collaboration and remote expertise

Smart glasses are transforming how organizations support frontline teams through hands-free access to information and remote collaboration. AR-enabled wearables allow experts to guide workers in real time, improving efficiency and service quality.

  • Provide real-time remote assistance for field technicians and service personnel
  • Stream live video so experts can guide troubleshooting, maintenance, and inspections
  • Access instructions, documentation, and workflow guidance directly within the worker’s field of view
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Healthcare & medical applications

Enhance medical workflows and patient care

From surgical assistance to remote patient monitoring (telehealth) and medical training, these devices help clinicians work more efficiently and make faster, more informed decisions.

  • Access patient data, imaging, and procedural guidance hands-free during examinations or surgery
  • Enable remote collaboration and telemedicine through live video and real-time expert support
  • Support medical training and patient monitoring with first-person recording and activity tracking

Explore our custom sensing solutions powering Smart Glasses & AR/VR

From fashion-forward smart glasses to fitness eyewear to AR/VR and extended reality, TDK’s full set of sensor technologies delivers the precision, power efficiency, and embedded intelligence your product demands.

Inertial Sensors - About

SmartMotion®

Power spatial interaction and immersive experiences with MEMS motion sensors

SmartMotion inertial sensors bring precise motion awareness to smart glasses & AR/VR headsets, enabling immersive spatial interaction and responsive device behavior.

  • Support natural interaction and navigation with gesture tracking, UI gestures, and activity awareness
  • Enhance AI-driven wearables with VibeSense360™ vocal vibration detection and wear sensing 
  • Unlock high-precision, context-aware motion tracking with ICM-45685, a custom 6-axis sensor with on-chip software for Smart Glasses 
Customer obsession

SmartSound™

Enable natural human-machine audio interaction with MEMS Microphones

SmartSound microphones enable clear voice capture and natural audio interaction in smart glasses & AR/VR headsets.

  • Capture voice clearly for AI assistants, voice commands, and communication
  • Support speech detection and recognition for responsive voice-driven interfaces
  • Deliver compact, ultra-low-power microphones designed for lightweight wearable devices
T

SmartSonic™

Enable spatial awareness and environmental interaction with MEMS Time-of-Flight Sensors

Ultrasonic sensing adds spatial awareness and environmental understanding to smart glasses and AR/VR systems.

  • Perform range-finding and presence or proximity sensing to detect nearby users and objects
  • Support object detection and avoidance for safer navigation and contextual awareness
  • Deliver position tracking with true 3D positioning for spatial computing and AR interaction  
sustainability responsibility

SmartMagnetics

TMR and Hall Sensors

TMR & Hall sensors deliver precise magnetic sensing for compact Smart Glasses & AR/VR devices.

  • Measure rotational angle of knobs and digital crown-style controls for intuitive device interaction
  • Detect hinge position and tilt to monitor glasses opening, fit, and orientation
  • Enable accurate button press detection for responsive and reliable user input

High-performance IMUs powering next-gen wearables

Microchip with TDK logo and "ICM-45685" etched onto its surface

ICM-45685

6-Axis

This IMU is purpose-built for smart eyewear and wearable applications, delivering real-time, intelligent motion tracking in a compact, power-efficient form factor. It enables immersive AR/VR experiences, fitness-focused wearables, and productivity eyewear without sacrificing performance or battery life 

Microchip with TDK logo and "T5848" etched onto its surface

T5848

Bottom Port I²S Digital Output Multi‑Mode Microphone

The T5848 is a low noise, high AOP I²S microphone with a 24‑bit PCM output for direct connection to a wide variety of SoCs. It also features Acoustic Activity Detect (AAD), a new ultra-low power edge processing feature consuming as low as 20 µA.

Microchip with TDK logo and "ICM-45686" etched onto its surface

ICM-45686

High-Precision 6-Axis MEMS MotionTracking® Device

The ICM-45686 is an ultra high‑performance 6‑axis MEMS motion sensor family with the world’s first BalancedGyro™ technology and lowest power consumption. The sensor combines a 3‑axis gyroscope and a 3‑axis accelerometer in a compact 2.5 × 3 × 0.81 mm package.

The BalancedGyro technology by TDK is the first‑of‑its‑kind gyroscope MEMS architecture that enables supreme vibration rejection and temperature stability performance, an enhancement never seen before in a consumer gyroscope.

ICM-45686 provides higher full-scale range upto 4000 dps and 32g, better temperature stability to reduce temperature related drift, and high-performance features such as Real Time Clock Input and 18/19 bit high-resolution FIFO.

This family offers the world’s lowest power 6‑axis motion sensor. This allows the gyroscope to be on 40% of the times more than any other gyroscope in the industry. This also offers the very first Gyroscope Low Power Mode, enabling ~200uA of 6-axis IMU current consumption, making it the top choice for wearables, hearables and any battery driven IoT application.

It has a configurable host interface that supports I3C℠, I²C and SPI serial communication, and an AUX interface that supports SPI slave mode for connection to OIS controllers or I²C master mode for connection to external sensors.

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