As more industries embrace augmented reality, 302 Interactive continues to create partnerships with an eye toward moving the needle forward on AR and bringing others into the technology smoothly.

But every so often, the company partners with a business that had already made great strides. California-based NuEyes is one of those companies.

The veteran-owned business has developed smart glasses technology that enhances eyesight for those with low vision. The two companies first connected in December of 2020 and, ever since, have been working together on the next version of NuEyes hardware, the Pro3.

“I needed somebody with the same philosophy I have, which is that augmented reality is going to change the way we work, live and play,” said Fraser Bowie, NuEyes’ chief product officer. “302 Interactive has that same philosophy.”

Bowie has an extensive history in emerging technologies, helping lead Verizon’s augmented and virtual reality efforts in the past. He likened the wide-open future of augmented reality to the American Disabilities Association’s push for ramps at crosswalks in the mid-1980s. 

While the target audience was specific at the time, eventually, other groups like parents with strollers or cyclists benefited. That’s what will happen with augmented reality, he said. 

“When it comes to augmented reality, we needed to find a partner that understands the technology and human interaction with it,” he said.

For 302, working with NuEyes helps it push on one of the company’s most-important ideals: building technology for good.

"Listen, we are not trying to put augmented reality on business cards, like other businesses have already done...for us, it’s about sustainable technology and how AR can be helpful.”  
 
-Kyle Morrand, CEO and Co-Founder of 302 Interactive

The company started as a video game development company in Orlando, Fla. Shortly after its 2014 founding, Morrand and cofounders Bobby Torres and Eric Peterford turned their attention to augmented reality-based development.

Morrand had first been exposed to AR while working on a contract for the U.S. Navy. His original “wow” moment was simple: How he could duck behind a virtual object and hide from a virtual enemy. His preference for AR over VR comes from his days as a kid, when he preferred going outside and playing rather than staying inside with video games all day and night.

“It’s fun to go into virtual reality,” he said. “I like using it. But I don’t want the world to be in there every day. There are still things to do and problems to solve in the real world.” He said he quickly jumped on board once he learned of NuEyes’ direction.

“I have a passion for technology and how we can expand its use to enhance the human experience,” he said. “Seeing a company already doing this for people with low vision attracted me. They are changing the world.”

“I’m tired of the business cards and five-second IKEA experience,” he said. “I am interested in what will everyday AR look like? What is some augmented reality that I would want to use every day?” Bowie agreed.

“We want to make augmented reality something you can use all day,” he said. “It’s not just about it being cool technology. It’s about how can people use it?”

-Kyle Morrand, CEO and Co-Founder of 302 Interactive