Meta Unveils Aria Gen 2: The Next Step in Smart Glasses Innovation
Discover Meta’s Aria Gen 2 smart glasses, designed for researchers with AI, robotics, and advanced sensors, transforming wearable technology.
Meta has just introduced the Aria Gen 2 research smart glasses, marking a significant step forward in their quest to revolutionize smart eyewear. These cutting-edge glasses are designed to enhance research in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and machine perception, continuing Meta’s mission to push the boundaries of technology.
A Smart Tool for Researchers
The Aria Gen 2 glasses are crafted with researchers in mind. Meta’s goal is to provide a powerful tool for those exploring advanced technologies like robotic systems and sensors. One example of this is the startup Envision, which is using these glasses to develop services aimed at helping people with visual or hearing impairments. This showcases the glasses’ potential to assist in critical research and practical applications that improve lives.
Building on the Success of Aria Gen 1
The Aria Gen 2 is the successor to the Aria Gen 1, which debuted back in 2020. While the original version was a strong starting point, the Gen 2 marks a giant leap in Meta’s vision to make smart glasses the next big computing platform after smartphones. Alongside the Aria, Meta offers the $300 Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which come equipped with an AI voice assistant and camera functionality. Additionally, Meta recently revealed the Orion glasses prototype, which offers full augmented reality capabilities.
New Features and Capabilities
The Aria Gen 2 brings a host of new features that elevate its functionality. Among these is the inclusion of advanced sensors, including a heart rate monitor, and the ability to handle complex computations directly on the device with Meta’s custom-built computer chips. Designed for all-day use, these glasses are meant to support extended research periods, making them ideal for professional environments.
Meta plans to make these smart glasses available to academic and commercial research labs through Project Aria. This initiative aims to promote public understanding and further research into technologies that will shape the future of computing and AI.
Availability and Future Potential
While Meta has not yet announced a specific release date for broader availability, researchers are encouraged to sign up for updates. The Aria Gen 2 focuses on advancing AI, machine perception, and robotics, all without the need for a traditional display. The glasses are powered by sensor-driven spatial intelligence, including upgraded RGB cameras, eye-tracking systems, spatial microphones, and Meta’s custom silicon for real-time AI processing.
Key Upgrades in the Aria Gen 2
The new generation of glasses includes some impressive upgrades. Among them is a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor for monitoring heart rate and a contact microphone designed to isolate voice with precision. The glasses also feature improved sensors, such as enhanced RGB cameras and spatial microphones. Their on-device AI capabilities enable complex tasks like simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), eye tracking, hand tracking, and speech recognition—all without relying on cloud-based services. Envision, for instance, is testing the glasses to help guide users who are blind or have low vision, offering enhanced indoor navigation capabilities.
With these innovations, Meta is not only taking smart glasses to new heights but also paving the way for a future where AI and machine perception seamlessly integrate into our everyday technology. The Aria Gen 2 is a glimpse into a world where wearable tech plays an essential role in research, accessibility, and daily life.