Meta Unveils AR Glasses That Monitor Heart Rate and Guide the Blind with Sound

Meta has unveiled a new pair of augmented reality glasses that can measure your heart rate and assist blind individuals with an innovative sound navigation system.

Meta Unveils Next-Gen AR Glasses, Aria Gen 2

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is advancing augmented reality (AR) with the launch of its next-generation AR glasses, Aria Gen 2. These glasses feature groundbreaking capabilities such as heart rate monitoring and a contact microphone that isolates the user’s voice from background noise.

A Tool for Researchers and Aid for the Visually Impaired

These AR glasses are primarily aimed at researchers, allowing them to delve into machine perception and AI systems from a human perspective. They also serve a practical purpose: assisting visually impaired individuals in navigating indoor spaces. For instance, in a demonstration video, a user asks the glasses to locate apples in a store, and the glasses guide him to the apples using sound cues to navigate the environment.

Cutting-Edge Technology in a Compact Format

The Aria Gen 2 glasses are equipped with advanced technologies, including an RGB camera, eye-tracking cameras, spatial microphones, and a barometer. They also feature hand tracking and a 6DOF SLAM camera that tracks position and orientation in 3D space. Despite these sophisticated features, the glasses weigh just 75 grams and boast an enhanced battery life of 6 to 8 hours.

A Glimpse into the Future of Augmented Reality

The release of the Aria Gen 2 glasses provides a “glimpse of what’s to come,” as Meta suggests. Meta’s first consumer-targeted AR glasses are scheduled for release in 2027. The introduction of these next-gen AR glasses could well preview the features we might expect in future AR products.

The Meta Aria Gen 2 glasses will be available to academic researchers in the coming months. For those seeking a pair for personal use, it’s worth exploring the best current smart glasses on the market.