The Artificial Intelligence News Source

The Verge has a great review of the forthcoming Augmented Reality (AR) glasses from Meta – a.k.a. Facebook.

In case you wondered, Meta Orion is Meta’s latest innovation in augmented reality (AR) technology. These AR glasses, unveiled in September 2024, are designed to seamlessly blend the digital and physical worlds.

One standout feature of Orion is its use of cameras for hand tracking and a wrist-worn electromyography (EMG) band. This band detects subtle muscle movements, allowing users to interact with digital interfaces using gestures like pinching and scrolling. In practical terms, this means users can perform tasks such as making video calls, managing apps like Instagram, and even playing games like AR Pong, all controlled via these gestures.

Here are some key features and details about Meta Orion:

1. Advanced AR Capabilities: Orion glasses offer true AR experiences with high-resolution holographic displays. This allows users to interact with digital content overlaid on the real world²⁵.
2. Innovative Materials: The lenses are made from silicon carbide, which is more durable and lighter than traditional materials. This enhances the user experience by making the glasses more comfortable to wear².
3. Compact Design: Despite their advanced features, the Orion glasses are notably compact and lightweight, making them suitable for everyday use³.
4. Control Options: They support gesture, voice, and eye-tracking control, as well as a neural interface that uses a wristband to measure biometric signals for hands-free and voice-free control⁶.
5. Development and Availability: Currently, Orion is a prototype available to select Meta employees and AR software developers. The consumer version is expected to be more affordable than previous AR devices but still priced higher than Meta’s other XR tech⁴.

Meta aims to make these glasses a key part of the future of human-computer interaction, providing immersive digital experiences while keeping users connected to the physical world around them⁵.

Meta Orion is a cutting-edge prototype of augmented reality (AR) glasses developed by Meta, representing a significant leap in wearable AR technology. Orion is designed to integrate seamlessly into everyday life by offering a large field of view (70 degrees), advanced holographic displays, and lightweight construction (just under 100 grams). These glasses aim to provide immersive AR experiences without the bulkiness of current devices like headsets.

The glasses also include integrated AI that can recognize objects in the real world and provide contextual assistance. For example, you could ask the AI for recipes based on what’s in your fridge or message friends without needing to pull out your phone.

While still in the prototype phase, Meta’s Orion shows promise in its ability to deliver real-time, hands-free digital interactions in a compact, wearable form. However, challenges remain, such as further reducing the device’s weight and improving display resolution to make the technology more comfortable for long-term use.

(1) Meta Orion AR glasses — everything you need to know. https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/smart-glasses/meta-orion-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-ar-holographic-glasses.
(2) Introducing Orion, Our First True Augmented Reality Glasses. https://about.fb.com/news/2024/09/introducing-orion-our-first-true-augmented-reality-glasses/.
(3) Meta teases Orion, brain-powered true AR glasses in a tiny package. https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/25/meta-teases-orion-brain-powered-true-ar-glasses-in-a-tiny-package/.
(4) Meta’s Orion smart glasses are a glimmer of our mixed reality future. https://www.laptopmag.com/gaming/vr/meta-orion-smart-glasses-mixed-reality-.
(5) Meta Orion AR Glasses: everything we know about the game-changing …. https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/meta-orion-ar-glasses-everything-we-know-about-the-game-changing-prototype.
(6) Meta’s Orion Smart Glasses Could Be Revolutionary: Is the $2 Trillion Club in its Future?. https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/09/30/meta-orion-smart-glasses-revolutionary-buy-stock/.