Augmented reality headset Magic Leap 2 will be released in late 2021
Magic Leap CEO Peggy Johnson said her mixed reality headset company would release a limited number of second-generation devices of the same name later this year. The Magic Leap 2 headset is expected to be widely available in the first quarter of 2022.
Johnson spoke about the new device in an interview with Protocol. The upcoming device will be twice as compact as the first generation headset and about 20 percent lighter. It is optimized for professional use, built for extended wear, and doubles the field of view compared to Magic Leap One.
Last year, Magic Leap moved from a model where the company offered all-in-one mixed reality devices to a business-oriented one. Peggy Johnson, who took over as CEO in July 2020, is a former Microsoft executive with extensive experience in enterprise technology.
Johnson says he sees great promise for augmented reality headsets targeting the corporate sector. However, in this area, Magic Leap will have to compete with Microsoft, which has had success with its HoloLens. The Redmond tech giant sold about 120,000 units to the US Army last year. Nonetheless, Johnson is confident that Magic Leap headsets will gain acceptance in healthcare and the military.
