As virtual reality (VR) headsets have evolved, the industry has been keenly anticipating a breakthrough in creating augmented reality (AR) capabilities compact and lightweight enough for integration into a pair of glasses. Meta has announced what it claims to be the first success in this endeavor with “Orion,” a prototype of thick-rimmed AR glasses that display content directly in front of the user’s eyes and can be controlled through voice commands, gestures, or even neural inputs.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the prototype during the Meta Connect 2024 event, referring to it as “the first prototype of full holographic AR.” These glasses feature a waveguide-type screen on the left lens, projecting the augmented experiences. The battery is positioned on the arm of the glasses, necessitating a partial fold rather than a full hinge near the lenses.
Comparable to devices produced by companies like XReal, Meta’s AR glasses will leverage in-house software, offering functionalities ranging from gaming to content viewing directly in the user’s line of sight. During the demonstration, Zuckerberg showcased an example where a hologram of another person could be projected in front of the user, similar to a scene from Power Rangers.
The technological specifications of the glasses include a 70-degree field of view (FOV) using a micro-LED display, speakers built into a magnesium alloy frame, and various sensors for eye and hand tracking. Additionally, the Orion glasses require an electromyography (EMG) wristband that incorporates several EMG sensors and an onboard processor for signal interpretation. This wristband also features a haptic engine to provide feedback during use.
Although Zuckerberg had previously indicated that Meta would release its first true AR glasses, the event provided only a preliminary glimpse of the ongoing developments. The Orion prototype distinguishes itself from Meta’s existing Meta Ray-Bans by lacking the Ray-Bans branding and exhibiting a more conventional glasses design compared to the stylish sunglasses format.
This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as further information becomes available.