Meta Unveils Orion AR Glasses as Potential Smartphone Rival

Meta Platforms Inc. has taken a significant step towards realizing its vision of a hands-free alternative to smartphones with the debut of its Orion augmented reality (AR) glasses. These glasses, introduced as prototypes, are designed to integrate the digital and physical worlds seamlessly.

Design and Functionality

The Orion glasses resemble thick, black reading glasses but are equipped with advanced technology. They feature silicon carbide lenses and tiny projectors powered by micro LED tech, which overlay digital images and text onto the user's field of vision. Unlike competing products, such as Apple's Vision Pro headset, Orion glasses do not require a bulky head strap or battery pack to operate.

The system includes seven cameras: five front-facing cameras that power the system's positioning and AI functions, and two inward-facing cameras that track eye movement. Additionally, the Orion system includes a wristband that detects hand motions and a compute puck that connects to the glasses via Wi-Fi 6.

Interaction and Control

User interaction with the Orion glasses is primarily through eye movement and hand gestures. The user's eyeballs act as a mouse, directing the gaze to select functions. Hand movements, such as pinching the thumb to the index finger, serve as a 'left click,' while other gestures like flipping a coin motion enable scrolling through feeds.

During testing, users were able to project recipes based on ingredients, play games like Pong, engage in video calls, cycle through messages, and watch YouTube episodes, all within their normal field of vision.

Future Plans and Market Impact

Currently, the Orion glasses are being used by a small number of Meta employees for testing and improving the product. Meta aims to engineer a version that can be sold to consumers in the future, potentially at a price point comparable to a high-end laptop.

The unveiling of Orion has generated significant interest among investors, who see it as a key step towards achieving CEO Mark Zuckerberg's goal of offering a hands-free alternative to smartphones. The technology has been likened to the futuristic concept seen in Minority Report , indicating a significant advancement in augmented reality technology.