Meta Platforms showcased its first working prototype of augmented-reality glasses, called Orion, during its annual Connect conference last Wednesday. CEO Mark Zuckerberg described the glasses as a "time machine," emphasising their potential to overlay holograms onto the real world.
The Orion glasses, made from magnesium alloy and powered by custom silicon, allow users to interact through hand-tracking, voice commands, and a wrist-based neural interface. Zuckerberg noted that the company plans to make the glasses smaller and more affordable before launching them for consumers, expected around 2027.
Despite previous failures in AR, like Google Glass, Meta is committed to making its technology accessible. Analyst Paolo Pescatore acknowledged Meta's ambitions but noted users remain cautious about AI advancements.
Zuckerberg didn’t directly demonstrate the glasses but shared a video showing testers interacting with the device, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
The Orion glasses will build on the success of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, which gained traction after receiving AI enhancements, such as QR code scanning and music streaming.
Meta also announced updates for its AI chatbot, including voice capabilities and celebrity voice options. Over 400 million users engage with Meta AI monthly.
The company revealed plans to release a budget-friendly Quest mixed-reality headset, the Quest 3S, starting at $300.
Meta is investing heavily in AI and AR, with forecasts predicting capital expenses of $37 to $40 billion for 2024. However, its metaverse division, Reality Labs, reported a loss of $8.3 billion in the first half of this year.
