Aria Gen 2, A new generation of smart glasses is being developed by Meta

At the Meta Connect developer conference, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a prototype of cutting-edge computer glasses capable of projecting digital objects onto transparent lenses. These futuristic smart glasses mark another milestone in Meta’s ongoing quest to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence, robotics, and machine perception.

On Thursday, the company officially introduced the latest iteration of its experimental smart eyewear-dubbed the Aria Gen 2 glasses. Designed as an advanced research tool, these glasses are tailored for use by scientists and engineers exploring innovative developments in robotic systems, high-tech sensors, and next-generation computing technology. According to a blog post from Meta, one of the startups leveraging this technology, Envision, is utilizing the glasses to enhance accessibility services for individuals with visual and hearing impairments.

The Aria Gen 2 represents a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the Aria Gen 1, which Meta first introduced in 2020. This latest model underscores the company’s ambitious vision of transforming smart glasses into a revolutionary computing platform poised to rival the smartphone. Meta has already made strides in this space with its $300 Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which feature an integrated AI voice assistant and the ability to capture photos and videos. Furthermore, in September, Meta unveiled the Orion glasses prototype, which showcases advanced augmented reality (AR) capabilities.

Several enhancements distinguish the Aria Gen 2 glasses from the earlier model, including upgraded sensors-one of which is capable of monitoring heart rates-along with the capacity to execute more complex computational processes directly on the device, thanks to Meta’s proprietary computer chips. Additionally, the company emphasizes that the new glasses boast “all-day usability,” ensuring they can keep up with the demands of extended research and real-world testing.

In its blog post, Meta highlighted the significance of making the glasses available to both academic institutions and commercial research labs through Project Aria. The company believes this initiative will foster greater collaboration, drive open research, and broaden public awareness of the emerging technologies that are poised to shape the future of computing and artificial intelligence.

Although Meta has not disclosed an exact timeline for wider availability, researchers interested in acquiring the device can register to receive updates as the project progresses.