While Google is improving its wearable computer, another Silicon Valley startup is developing an alternative to Google Glass. The augmented system, developed by Atheer Labs, lets you view the virtual objects, but also to touch them and move in space.

Atheer Labs plans to use its technology in digital glasses, smart watches, and other advanced mobile devices. In a Form D filling with the Securities and Exchange, it was revealed that the company has raised at least $1.5 million in funding of a planned $6.1 million funding round. Although Atheer is not commenting on its funding status, it has received previous investments from Farzad Naimi of Rona Holdings and Bobby Yazdani of Saba Software.

The company has also launched a campaign in December 2013 on Indiegogo looking for $100,000 to market its product–reaching and exceeding its goal with 25 days left. The plan is to ship the Atheer Dev kit in early 2014, and the Atheer One which will ship late 2014.

The system is presented in the form of sunglasses, stuffed with electronics. One of the devices has a sensor depth, which allows users to manipulate virtual objects in front of their face with natural gestures. Another device with two built-in cameras, is used to read virtual newspapers with scrolling pages, viewing 3D-images and video. Camera and depth sensors monitor the movements of the fingers and can identify actions that simulate pressing virtual buttons.

The prototype, which operates using the Android operating system, is in similar developments around existing and Vuzix Smart Glasses and Epson Moverio. The company anticipates that these glasses can enhance augmented reality to make visible to the user special messages that float on the windows. In addition to this device, the company is also working on a control system similar to Google Glass, operated by voice commands.

Concretely this pair of glasses will allow you to interact with a multitude of useful applications in everyday life as well as games. Ultimately, the creators anticipate that these glasses can enhance the augmented reality and fundamentally changes the way you access information.

Atheer Glasses aspire to become the main competitor of Google Glass, which instead give only a digital passive while these smart glasses allow a more engaging and immersive visualization as well as more exciting augmented reality experience. The company recognizes that it still has to work on transparency embedded in glasses displays and software to ensure the correct image perspective. Now the company is focusing on finding application developers with a view to bring the technology to market.

[Image: (c) Atheer Labs; still from video “A vision of the future through immersive 3D glasses, by Atheer Labs” 0:41s http://www.atheerlabs.com/]