Dyson Invented Versions of Google Glass, iWatch and Siri Over a Decade Ago

Newly published documents have revealed that Dyson developed a working prototype of smartglasses similar to Google Glass as long ago as 2001.

The Dyson Halo, also known as project No66, included a heads-up style display, a smartwatch controller and a digital assistant similar to Siri or Google Now.

The heads-up display featured on the smartglasses was capable of projecting 3D images in full colour and was powered by a small computer about the size of a smartphone that the user carried in their pocket.

To the wearer, the display appeared as a 10-inch display projected one metre in front of their faces that showed "a series of applications similar to the smartphones of today."

The virtual assistant could be commanded through an inbuilt microphone and could undertake simple tasks like reading emails through an earpiece, while the connected smartwatch could control the display and camera through a flat trackpad.

The device could be used both as a means of communication as well as a portable PC.

Plans for the smartglasses were eventually put to one side after three years of development as the Wiltshire-based company increased its focus on US expansion.

Documents detailing the designs were released by Dyson as part of the company's 21st birthday celebrations. Also released were plans for other shelved projects that included a hydrogen fuel cell and a fuel filtration system based on the company's cyclone technology.

According to Dyson, "elements of the technology are now being used in future research projects", though it is not clear in what manner the company intends to use them.