META presents Orion, the first true Augmented Reality glasses
Previously known under the code name Project Nazare, Orion is the most advanced AR eyewear prototype ever created, the company states
It is a model that bridges the physical and virtual worlds, putting people at the center so they can be more present and connected in the world.
There are three main reasons why Meta claims that AR glasses are essential for unlocking the next big leap in human-centered computing:
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They enable digital experiences unbound by the limitations of a smartphone screen. With wide holographic displays, the physical world becomes a canvas, placing 2D and 3D content and experiences wherever you want.
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They integrate AI that can perceive and understand the world to proactively anticipate and meet all needs.
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They are lightweight and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, allowing people to look each other in the eye and express their emotions.
The Evolution of Smart Glasses
Ray-Ban Meta glasses have demonstrated the power of giving people hands-free access to important parts of their digital lives, directly from the physical world. You can talk to an intelligent AI assistant, connect with friends, and capture important moments – all without ever having to pull out your phone.
However, while Ray-Ban Meta opened up a new category of AI-powered glasses without a display, the XR (extended reality) industry has always dreamed of true AR glasses – a product that combines the benefits of a large holographic display and personalized AI assistance in a comfortable form, wearable all day long. This is where Orion comes in.
Orion is a masterpiece of miniaturization – its components are reduced to a fraction of a millimeter. It also features the largest field of view ever created in AR glasses of this size. This field unlocks truly immersive use cases for Orion, from multitasking windows to big-screen entertainment, to life-size holograms of people – all the digital content seamlessly blending with your view of the physical world.
Augmented Reality Experiences
Meta AI, META’s intelligent assistant, also works on Orion: it understands what you are looking at in the physical world and can assist with useful visualizations. For example, you can open the refrigerator and ask the assistant for a recipe based on the products inside.
However, the model is a targeted prototype for research, not available to consumers. META has decided to focus first on internal development, continuing to push the boundaries of technology and arriving at an even better product more quickly.
