What if your glasses could transform the way you see and interact with the world around you? At the recent MetaConnect conference, Meta took a monumental step toward this future by unveiling Orion—their first true AR glasses. After more than five years R&D, the tech giant has unveiled a polished prototype that represents a significant leap forward in tech.

While Orion is not yet available for public purchase, it stands out as one of the most impressive tech prototypes of the year. And unlike typical research prototypes, which are often rough and unfinished, Orion is one of the most polished prototypes to date. But instead of rushing to display this new piece of tech on shelves, the company has opted to focus on internal development first, handing it to a group of its employees to test. Only 1,000 units have been produced, each costing an astonishing $10,000 to manufacture. This strategy is aimed at refining the product before releasing it in the market. 

One thing that really makes me appreciate this product even more, is the business genius behind it. Meta’s decision to design Orion for personal use was, in my opinion, a very clever move. Other companies like Google and Microsoft, have mainly focused on AR glasses for industrial and enterprise applications. By targeting everyday consumers, Meta sets itself apart from them. It is not only looking to fill a gap in the market but also leveraging its existing customer base to establish itself as a leader in personal AR tech.

Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, recently stated in an interview that Orion “is the type of product we hope to replace phones someday.” This bold statement is undeniably exciting, marking a shift from handheld devices to more immersive tech experiences with AR. Howeverrrrr, it’s worth noting that Orion may not be quite there yet.

Now let’s look at the product itself:

What’s interesting (or perhaps not so convenient) about Orion is that it is not a singular product – it has multiple components: the glasses, a computer and a wristband. Let’s take a closer look at each:

1. The Glasses:

The star of the show is a lightweight 98-gram frame made of silicon carbide and feature an optical display system capable of projecting holograms almost anywhere the wearer looks, boasting an FOV of 70 degrees. Mark Zukerberg has consistently emphasized the word “hologram” in his recent interview. He wants Orion to blend in with our daily lives and create an immersive experience that enhances rather than obstructs the real world.

2. The Computer:

While specific details about the computing power behind the “computer puck” are still under wraps, it is designed to handle the complex processing required for real-time AR applications. It could potentially help with extending the glasses’ battery life, which has been one of the main issues faced by most AR glasses on the market. 

3. The Wristband:

It uses EMG technology to capture muscle movements as input. For instance, pinching to select buttons or apps and thumb pushes to scroll. And you can perform these gestures without being in view of the glasses’ cameras. 

As the company focuses on refining this prototype, the anticipation builds for what could be the future of personal technology. With any luck, I’ll soon be living in a world where my glasses will save me from awkward situations by reminding me of people’s names. Lol!

Sources:

“Introducing Orion, Our First True Augmented Reality Glasses.” Meta, 27 Sept. 2024, about.fb.com/news/2024/09/introducing-orion-our-first-true-augmented-reality-glasses/ 

Heath, Alex. “Meta’s Big Tease.” The Verge, 25 Sept. 2024, www.theverge.com/24253908/meta-orion-ar-glasses-demo-mark-zuckerberg-interview 

“I Wore Meta’s Orion AR Glasses: A Wireless Taste of a Neural Future.” CNET, www.cnet.com/tech/computing/i-wore-metas-orion-ar-glasses-a-wireless-taste-of-a-neural-future/ 

“Adam Savage’s Tested.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/channel/UCiDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOA