During the Meta Connect annual event at Meta’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, on September 25, 2024, CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the Orion AR Glasses. The presentation highlighted the glasses’ compact size and comfort over their visual and graphic capabilities.
Julia Boorstin, CNBC’s senior media and tech correspondent, experienced the Orion glasses firsthand during the conference. She noted their lightweight design, which stood out compared to other virtual reality headsets such as Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro. Boorstin described the glasses as feeling similar to wearing a pair of heavy, standard glasses, without discomfort.
Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Orion glasses, suggesting they represent an exciting glimpse into future technology. The glasses feature black, thick frames combined with a wireless “puck” that supports applications like a holographic game of digital chess or ping-pong appearing in the user’s real world. These experimental glasses are part of Zuckerberg’s extensive investment aimed at advancing personal computing within the metaverse, where users interact in virtual 3D spaces.
Although Orion doesn’t create entirely virtual environments, it overlays digital content onto the physical world. Boorstin found the glasses fit well and were less cumbersome than traditional VR headsets. She projected that future versions will likely become even more compact as technology progresses.
When wearing the Orion AR glasses, Boorstin encountered digital holograms of app icons such as Instagram and Facebook, along with a browser and video game, all integrated into the physical space of a small office at Meta’s headquarters. The technology allows users to see digital overlays naturally, unlike the “passthrough” technique used by existing VR devices, which rely on external cameras to mix digital and real-world visuals on screens.
Orion uses silicon-carbide lenses, differing from conventional glass or plastic, to render digital images. Built-in miniature projectors in the arms of the glasses beam light into these lenses to create “holograms,” providing a realistic and natural experience. When the digital display is turned off, users experience the glasses as if they were simple eyewear, without distraction or discomfort.
Control is facilitated via a wristband that senses finger and hand movements, functioning similarly to an old, lightweight Fitbit. Boorstin reported that the wristband accurately detected her gestures, enabling her to interact seamlessly with digital icons.
In demonstration scenarios, the Orion glasses recognized various food ingredients and projected an appropriate recipe, while another allowed Boorstin to play a digital game of pong projected onto a real desk. An especially notable demo involved a 3D video call where Boorstin observed her producer’s face in front of her, creating a lifelike presence that seemed almost tangible.
By testing Orion, Boorstin gained insight into how Meta’s research and development efforts are enhancing other products, including the Quest headsets and Ray-Ban smart glasses. She emphasized the company’s dedication to miniaturizing and optimizing these components.
The event underscored Meta’s significant advancements and innovations in augmented reality technology, positioning the Orion glasses as a pivotal development in their ongoing exploration of next-generation personal computing in the metaverse.
For further visual details, Meta has released a video presentation showcasing the Orion AR glasses.