Hands-Free Era Approaches... Meta Unveils Smart Glasses 'Orion'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, unveiled augmented reality (AR) glasses.

On the 25th (local time), Meta held its annual developer conference "Connect 2024" at its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, and revealed a prototype of the AR smart glasses called "Orion".

Orion, which looks like thick horn-rimmed glasses, allows users to view text messages, video calls, and even YouTube videos. Users can click or scroll the display with their hands through a wristband similar to a smartwatch and a built-in camera that tracks eye movement. Additionally, it is equipped with micro-lenses that can display images in the user’s field of vision, projecting 3D images via a projector to realize holographic AR functionality.

Orion was developed as part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision to provide the next-generation smart device that will usher in a hands-free era following smartphones. Meta is reported to have been developing this technology for about 10 years.

CEO Zuckerberg emphasized, "All attempts at AR so far have been headsets, goggles, or helmets," and stated, "Orion will be the computing device after smartphones." He also explained that Orion offers the largest 70-degree field of view among smart glasses released so far, while achieving a size and weight suitable for everyday wear.

The exact release date of Orion has not been announced. Bloomberg evaluated that with Meta’s launch of Orion, the science fiction (SF) dream of AR glasses is becoming a reality.