Meta is gearing up to unveil its latest augmented reality glasses, known internally as the Orion project, during its upcoming developer conference. These AR glasses are considered to be the company's first true AR glasses and are expected to be showcased this fall, possibly at Meta's annual Connect conference for developers.
The AR team at Meta is under pressure to ensure a high level of performance for the glasses, with plans to have them demoed during the conference. While the AR glasses will not be available for public purchase immediately after the reveal, a select group of employees are already testing advanced prototypes.
The Orion project has been in development for several years within Meta's Reality Labs division, which oversees AR, VR, AI, and metaverse-related projects. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, closely monitors the work within Reality Labs, which is led by CTO Andrew Bosworth.
Meta's AR glasses are distinct from its Ray-Ban smart glasses and Quest headsets. The company's long-term roadmap includes releasing a second version of the AR glasses to early adopters in 2027 or 2028, as reported by The Verge. However, the current cost of production makes retail sales challenging.
Bosworth hinted at a potential hands-on experience with the AR glasses in 2024, emphasizing the advanced technology behind the product. He described the glasses as a groundbreaking consumer electronic that represents a significant technological achievement.
Meta's focus on AR glasses underscores its commitment to wearables and hardware development. The company's ambitious plans for the future position AR glasses as a key component of its product lineup, showcasing Meta's dedication to innovation in high-tech wearables.
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