While I was writing in the past a couple of posts about enrolling and managing Virtual Reality (VR) devices like the Meta Quest 2, Pico Neo 3 Pro and HTC Vive Focus, there are other device types commonly used in the industry leveraging AR – Augmented or Assisted Reality. Thanks to a loaner device from Realwear, I was able to test one of those devices recently: The Realwear HMT-1.
The use case for AR devices like the HMT-1 are different compared to VR devices. Devices like the HMT-1 are used quite often within manufacturing or construction – typical frontline work. These devices allow a digital overlay on top of the reality, while the user is still able to fully see what is happening in front oh him/her. The AR device is either used to display additional, task-contextual information or is used to record what is in front of the eyes and providing enhanced information on top on the screen. Last but not least, video recording, photo and scanning use cases are quite obvious as well. What makes these devices special is that they are really ‘zero touch’ – means the user can fully control the device by voice and no manual input is required. Realwear has a clear Enterprise scope with the HMT-1, purpose built for commercial use and designed to operate in any environment (ruggedized).
Device Specifications of the HMT-1 can be found [HERE] on the Realwear support site.
What is underlining the Enterprise focus of Realwear is the impressive partner network, allowing collaboration solutions like Microsoft Teams, Zoom and WebEx, remote control, support and assist services like Workspace ONE Assist alongside specialized industry solutions from HPE, IBM and others.
Integrating the HMT-1 into Workspace ONE is really straight forward and fully supported. As the steps are outlined very well on the VMware Techzone post ‘Enrolling Head Mounted Wearables’, I will not copy all details here again. As first step, just be sure to have UEM fully prepared for enrolling head mounted devices, as outlined [HERE]. Step 2 is creating the Enrollment-QR Code – be sure to leave System Apps enabled as outlined in the documentation. Otherwise you will only have the Intelligent Hub and Settings Apps on the device with no access to the camera as example. The HMT-1 can only be enrolled as fully managed / work managed device starting from a factory reset device.
The enrollment flow can be reviewed in the following slideshow:
Once enrolled, you can find the Intelligent Hub App as on other Android devices on the HMT-1. Of course you can push in house applications, restriction profiles etc. like on other Android devices, with the exception that we are managing the HMT-1 as AOSP device with no Google Services (= no Play Store) like on the VR devices as well.
Within Workspace ONE UEM the HMT-1 is displayed and can be handled like any other Android device as well. Remote commands like Wipe, Reboot or Reset Passcode work with no issue.
To allow streaming (casting) and additional functionality, you can download and install the Realwear Explorer on macOS and Windows. Screen mirroring is supported easily using an USB cable and with some small configurations wirelessly as well. Just be sure to have USB Debugging allowed in your Restrictions Profile as the connection will otherwise fail (see screenshot).
Julius Lienemann 