It was almost 1970, computers were still the size of an entire bedroom, yet Alan Kay was stretching the imagination of a kids computer 20,000 times smaller ‒ only the size of a book!

Alan Kay’s drawings of the Dynabook “personal computer” very much resembled today's tablet and hybrid pc’s.

For myself missing piece from his above drawing occurred while I was outside working from laptop. The bright sun required computer screen at max brightness, together the screen heat and bright sunlight caused considerable strain while reading.

By putting both hands in front of my eyes as goggles, the screen glare and sunlight reduced 90%; immediately the screen visibility was clear like indoors. and the stress of bright sun was gone, it felt as relaxing as reading with my eyes closed.

At that moment the visorGlasses idea was conceived. After tinkering with it a few years, I filed a provisional patent.

Now at VisorGlasses, we pioneer viewport eyewear / social eyewear, while making outdoor computing an enjoyable experience. In the process of creating Visor Glasses, tons of other real-world indoor and outdoor uses were discovered. Below is a high level view of some of those uses. Actually, this first blog covers how Visor Glasses create new forms of "social space" like mobile SMS texting did with communication.

Describing Visor Glasses

Visor Glasses lenses are non see-through plastic, that open like old school camera lens-covers zoom open at center, revealing a simple lensfree viewport to see out of—reducing outdoor glare and lighting up to 90%.

Outdoors and indoors Visor Glasses create new unique social spaces, both to limit visual data input exposure to self, and data output to others ⇄ opening two new channels of social interaction.

Visual Noise Reduction

Most environments today compete for attention. In places like the office and school, while in the classroom, at work-tables and traveling, small movements and visual noise can pull focus and or be distractive. Visor Glass's viewport restricts one's view to a smaller focus area, providing a courteous atmosphere; space for those around you to fidget and move about without them feeling like they're being a distraction.

The glasses offer an un-imposing presence, the wearer stays present while limiting surrounding distraction, attributing to more inner thought. Visor Glasses reduce ones social footprint, taking up less processing space visor glasses allow you to be present but not draw attention ⇄ neither absorb distractions. An ambient presence, reducing friction.

By reducing visual input, it becomes easier to share space without processing background movement. Introduces a shift toward a hybrid social environment, like being in another room though being present, a new social space is created, simply by putting on the glasses. Allows a kind of trust in shared environments.

Visor Glasses sit somewhere in between—letting go of a degree of control in shared environments without fully stepping away. Non-observation gives others space without monitoring them, less data to process, while determining to respond vs non response. These are early ideas, and will continue to evolve.

Boardrooms

During sessions of boardroom problem solving and groupthink, visor glasses in boardrooms can help teams concentrate on a topic and reduce visual noise during group ideation, will encourage mindful group thoght—helping teams reflect, brainstorm, and problem solve. Visor Glasses introduce a new middle ground—bringing some of that control into shared spaces.

• In meeting settings, visor glasses may help reduce visual overload, while focusing more on inner thought than visual cues of others.
• Gives others space, though affects less visual interaction. Wearing visor glasses offers less control and fewer distractions.

Pros

If you recall during covid the social distance of standing inline apart from each other, on one hand it is relieving to not feel required to have to interact. There are pros and cons to standing at a distance from each other. Visor glasses create these similar and new social dynamics.

Reducing visual input can improve focus, but it also means choosing to remove the requirement not to take in everything happening around you, which may or may not fit every setting. That introduces questions around visibility, signaling, and engagement. In more formal environments, use may depend on context and expectations.

Counter productivity

Like any social area where we interact and share space there are tradeoffs. Wearing visorGlasses can be counter productive at times. Like settings that rely on visual awareness, direct engagement, it may create distance where connection is expected and of course when eye contact is expected.

Some discussions, meetings, and types of classroom settings, reducing visual input may reduce shared awareness and or be rude. As well to avoid feeling distancing or being out of sync with the group. In environments that depend on visibility. There are tradeoffs, as with any object, its value depends on when and how it’s used.

INVITES

Resources for the eyewear industry and those exploring VisorGlasses:

• To visitors reading this, looking forward to your feedback.
• If you’re a Brand, Eyewear lab, or Independent designer, we’re opening early collaboration.
• Startups building in adjacent spaces, there may be room to collaborate.
• Investors interested in getting involved in early development.
• We’re also gradually opening opportunities for those interested.

Thankyou for exploring our viewport eyewear. Look forward to your feedback and future collaboration.