Perhaps not unexpectedly, I was the only youngster I knew who was passionate about birdwatching. Nevertheless, I frequently ventured outdoors equipped with my binoculars, bird guide, and camera, eager to record as many species as possible.
Basically, I had to use my binoculars to find the bird, use my camera to take a picture of it if it remained motionless for a certain amount of time, and then attempt to identify its species, if I didn’t already know. That being said, times are changing.
The first smart binoculars in the world were just unveiled by Austrian optical specialist Swarovski Optik. With AI power, the binoculars can recognize 9,000 different species of birds and other wildlife for you.
This is how they function. You locate a bird in your field of vision, push a button, and the binoculars process the image, encircling the thing in a red circle. The animal’s name appears on the screen in roughly five seconds. However, most birds move quickly, so I don’t think five seconds is sufficient.
Known as AX Visio, they are driven by an inbuilt neural processing unit together with an integrated operational and object-recognition system. Additionally, they have a built-in camera that allows you to take high-quality pictures and share them straight to your smartphone using the Swarovski Optik Outdoor app. Really nice, huh?
With the use of an integrated GPS, the AX Visio’s inbuilt processor can determine what kind of animal you might be viewing depending on your location. Additionally, they have a feature called “shared discoveries” that lets you use arrow marks in the display to direct other birdwatchers to the bird you’re now viewing.
Marc Newson, a well-known industrial designer, created the binos. His Lockheed Lounge chair became the most expensive item ever sold by a living designer when it was auctioned off in 2015 for £2.4 million (€2.8 million). Let’s just say that Mr. Newson has a strong design background, which is evident in the AX Visio.
The sleek, minimalistic form deftly conceals the inside technology. The sleek appearance of the forest green barrels with a black aluminum bridge and black eyecups is guaranteed to appeal to outdoor enthusiasts. The fact that they were able to fit so many devices into a casing the same size as a normal pair of binoculars is rather amazing, in my opinion.
When I used to go birding, I would have laughed if you had told me that someday there will be binoculars that could both identify species for you and take pictures of them at the same time. But this is the world in which we currently reside.
But the price tag is something that could ruin the fun or perhaps make you cry. Starting at €4,600 is the AX Visio.
However, they do include a strap, USB charging cable, eyepiece cover, and rechargeable battery. Additionally, the software is updated frequently, just like a smartphone. In addition, they will help you identify the fauna.
The AX Visio is definitely a really cool piece of technology, even at that price. I’m curious to see if this is a passing craze or if it opens up a new market.
One thing that worries me is that birding could become less enjoyable if it is automated. Part of what makes this activity so appealing is the task of sifting through a paperback book (yes, those still exist) and attempting to identify the bird you saw.