Dive into the world of smart glasses

It is exactly ten years since one of the first pairs of smart glasses – Google Glass – came onto the market over the counter for everyone. But the model flopped. Since then, a number of companies have turned their attention to data glasses projects. It soon became clear that the industry – and not end customers – might be the best market for this kind of wearables. However, companies have recently started to put out feelers towards end consumers again. Of particular interest is that for the first time traditional eyewear brands have also become involved. But the developers’ focus is very different: varying from pure audio glasses for listening to music and communicating, to camera glasses that also enable live streaming up to augmented reality (AR) glasses that allow users to immerse themselves in new worlds.

Smart glasses – what are they anyway? In general, smart glasses augment reality with digital content. Beyond that, however, there is no generally applicable precise definition to cover all kinds of smart glasses. This is probably down to the fact that the features incorporated are as varied as the companies that develop them.

The world of smart glasses 

Thus, for example, there are smart glasses – also known as data glasses – which just have an added audio function: for simplicity’s sake referred to here as audio smart glasses. Other smart glasses are also equipped with an integrated camera: the focus here being on connectivity to social media platforms, for example in the form of live streaming. AR glasses, on the other hand, display an image or other information in front of the user’s eye. This is achieved, for example, using waveguides that are built into the lens. And of course there are models that combine the various features – or just integrated some of them. Virtual reality glasses are clearly distinct from these. They create immersive, computer-generated environments that are primarily used for entertainment, training or therapeutic purposes. However, they are completely unsuitable for everyday use and are thus not covered in this article just like smart glasses for sports.

Finally, also with prescription

Since the last time MAFO presented an overview of smart glasses,  in the year 2021, there has been one major improvement: manufacturers have finally understood that the incorporation of prescription lenses is crucial to the success of smart glasses for daily use; which is hardly surprising when you look at the number of people who wear glasses worldwide.

However, combining outstanding optics with the latest and lightest technology in an aesthetically pleasing pair of glasses is an incredible challenge. The most effective way for some manufacturers to meet this challenge has been to combine the expertise of traditional frame manufacturers with that of the technology companies.

The following overview, which is by no means exhaustive, shows a selection of promising smart glasses that are currently on the market.

Even social media livestreams are possible: Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses

The new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are equipped with a camera, microphones and speakers. The Meta View app can be used to manage recorded files and settings and as usual for EssilorLuxottica frames, the smart glasses can be glazed with prescription by an optician.

The features mentioned allow photos and videos to be taken just by double-tapping the capture button, with the option to share the content directly via livestreaming on Instagram, Facebook or others. The glasses allow video calls to be made as well as music to be listened and they enable control via voice command, e.g. for making calls or sending messages.

Thanks to the multimodal capabilities with Meta AI users can look through their glasses and ask Meta AI to take a photo and give information based on what they are looking at. For example, multi-modal AI can be used to identify objects, translate text or suggest creative captions based on what the users sees. 

For better data protection, there is a recording LED on the front of the glasses. This lights up for other people to see when the glasses are recording a video or even sharing a live stream. The glasses are already available in many countries, including the USA, many European countries, Australia and more.

Music, podcasts or smart home control: Carrera Smart Glasses with Alexa now make this possible

The second major Italian spectacles manufacturer Safilo has now also entered into a partnership with a major tech giant. Amazon’s Alexa technology is integrated into the new Carrera smart glasses. The glasses can be easily fitted with prescription lenses. However, they are currently only available on the market in the USA.

Compared to the Luxcottica model, the Carrera smart glasses do not have an integrated camera. The smart glasses are equipped with open-ear audio technology to deliver sound directly to the ears without covering them, while minimizing ambient noise.

The audio glasses allow users to listen to music, podcasts and more whenever they want. Calls can be made easily via the glasses thanks to the loudspeaker and microphone. The glasses can also be used to control the smart home, for example to check whether doors have actually been locked or lights switched off.

Augmented reality glasses for enterprises and others: Vuzix

The manufacturer Vuzix offers several models of smart glasses. The glasses are officially advertised as enterprise glasses with corresponding features. Depending on the model, these include dust-repellent and water-repellent features, certification, temperature-resistant batteries and more. Almost all models are AR glasses, which means that information can be displayed thanks to built-in waveguides. Some models have integrated cameras, microphones and loudspeakers and can therefore be used in a wide range of industrial applications – from production and logistics to healthcare and more. Some can even be ordered with “prescription inserts” that customers can fit themselves.

Meanwhile there are now also Vuzix models that could even pass for normal consumer spectacles from an aesthetic point of view. For example, the manufacturer also advertises the ‘Vuzix Z100 Developers Edition’ glasses as suitable for all-day wear. It is a developer’s edition intended for expediting the development of purpose-driven applications. The glasses are very light and less bulky than other models. However, they do not come with a camera, loudspeaker or microphones. They become smart glasses thanks to the waveguide and the corresponding display function and the connectivity to AI optimization tools.

Retro design with state-of-the-art technology: Frame Brilliant Smart Glasses

With the smart, open-source glasses from Brilliant Labs, simply called “Frame”, the focus is on AI compatibility. The glasses, reminiscent of John Lennon’s round-lens steel frames, are very light weighing. The glasses have an integrated monocular display that looks like a transparent strip on the lens. This Micro-OLED screen projects text in front of the right eye.

Thanks to the integrated camera and microphones, the glasses assess their surroundings, so that users can learn more about the places, products, etc. nearby or even dietary advice on request based on the camera data and AI. This is all achieved with the aid of the Noa app.

“Frame” is designed as a personal AI assistant. Users can instantly access AI models such as Perplexity, ChatGPT, Whisper, etc. The glasses respond with minimal delay to voice commands and photos, displaying texts, images and graphics useful in everyday life. However, they are not intended for “watching movies through your glasses”, for example.

According to the company website opticians can fit a prescription lens. However, the glazing is special as one side of the lens needs to be flat to allow it to be laminated to the flat surface of Frame’s optic.

For gaming, streaming and more: AR glasses Xreal Air2 Pro

The augmented-reality glasses Xreal Air 2 turns compact displays on smartphones or games consoles into a huge virtual screen. They mirror the display of a connected device and can therefore be used even for watching entire movies through the glasses.

The smart glasses only unfold their full potential with the Xreal Beam accessory, which offers a higher refresh rate, air casting and additional picture modes and is required for connection to games consoles and many handhelds. A new interesting feature compared to previous models is the one-touch immersion control, which can be used to change between 0%, 35% and 100% electrochromic dimming. They can thus be used both as transparent or sunglasses. The glasses can be ordered with prescription lenses that can then be snapped easily into place.

Solid glasses with Zeiss lenses: Fauna Audio Glasses

Fauna Audio Glasses are equipped with a two-way sound system and touch sensors on the temples, as well as being protected against water and dust (IP52). With the aid of the audio glasses, users can listen to music, make calls or use the voice assistant. They can be fitted with prescription lenses from Zeiss. There is one model for normal prescription glasses and one for sunglasses.

In addition to the smart glasses presented here, there are many more models. These include the futuristic Spectacles from Snap, which allow users to immerse themselves in the AR world. The Razer Anzu audio glasses or the AR-glasses tooz ESSNZ Berlin, which combine augmentation and vision correction in a stylish design – to mention just a few.

Smart glasses are also becoming increasingly attractive in the sports sector. Be it as a navigation device on the bike or to record health data during sport.

Has the breakthrough occurred? However, the decision by Bose to stop selling their audio sunglasses at the end of 2023 demonstrates that smart glasses in general are still no guarantee of success. In comparison, “the new generation of smart glasses from Meta Platforms and EssilorLuxottica has sold better in just a few months than its predecessor did in two years,” said Francesco Milleri, managing director of EssilorLuxottica in July.

In any case, it remains exciting to see which models users ultimately like best and which functions they value most: whether it is AR, pure audio glasses or the complete package with camera.

But they all have one thing in common: they only work when connected to a smartphone or another device. So we are still a long way from glasses replacing cell phones.