The promise of augmented reality (AR) has long been a captivating vision for the tech world. The latest endeavour comes from Meta with its first AR glasses, Orion. The Verge had an early look at this intriguing technology.
Orion represents a significant leap in wearable tech, offering a preview of what may one day replace smartphones. The demo provided a glimpse into the potential of this technology, despite some current limitations.
Design and Build
At first glance, Orion looks like a standard pair of glasses. The black frames, reminiscent of Clark Kent, are far from the typical futuristic designs often associated with high-tech gadgets. They conceal a complex array of components designed to deliver a seamless AR experience.
The glasses feature custom-designed Micro LED projectors, which beam graphics onto your vision through waveguides in the lenses. Made from silicon carbide, these lenses have been chosen for their durability, lightweight, and high refractive index. This choice allows the projected light to fill more of the user’s vision, enhancing the immersive experience.
AR Functionality and Display
Orion functions like a sophisticated computer worn on the face, with significant improvements over previous technologies. The display is a major advancement, addressing issues of weight, heat, resolution, and field of view that have plagued earlier AR devices. Orion’s display offers a wider field of view, thanks to its innovative lens material and design.
The lenses in Orion utilize Micro LED projectors to beam images directly in front of the user’s eyes. This technology uses silicon carbide, which provides a high level of durability and a much-needed reduction in weight, making the glasses more comfortable for extended use.
Enhanced Interactive Features
Orion integrates generative AI capabilities with augmented reality. In a recent demo, the glasses successfully identified ingredients on a table and generated a smoothie recipe, demonstrating their practical applications.
In another demonstration, a 3D version of Pong was played by users wearing Orion. The experience was smooth, with minimal lag, showcasing the robust performance of the glasses even under interactive conditions.
Additionally, the glasses facilitated a video call through a version of the Messenger app, proving that Orion can handle real-world communication tasks seamlessly.
The Neural Wristband
Control of Orion is managed through a combination of eye tracking, voice commands, and a neural wristband, which interprets neural signals from hand gestures. This wristband, resembling a fitness tracker, uses electromyography (EMG) to translate hand gestures into commands.
The wristband supports various gestures, such as pinching fingers to select options or flipping a thumb to scroll. Haptic feedback adds a layer of assurance that gestures are recognized, improving user interaction precision.
Unlike conventional controllers, the neural wristband does not need to be in the line of sight of the glasses’ sensors, offering greater flexibility and ease of use.
Hardware and Performance
Orion’s hardware requirements are divided among three main components: the glasses, the neural wristband, and a wireless compute puck. These parts ensure that the device operates efficiently, although the glasses must remain within 12 feet of the puck to function properly.
Despite its field-leading 70-degree field of view and lightweight magnesium frames, the device is not without its drawbacks. The current battery life stands at around two hours, limiting prolonged use.
The glasses also support eye and hand tracking through the embedded cameras, which help anchor virtual objects in real space. The high-quality display is unexpectedly impressive, even if designed primarily for short-term use.
Manufacturing Challenges
The ambitious design of Orion comes with significant manufacturing challenges. Originally intended for mass production, the glasses’ complex components and high costs have prevented a broader release.
The primary challenge lies in the silicon carbide lenses, which are costly and difficult to manufacture reliably. Meta’s current solution has been to produce a limited number of units for internal development and external demonstrations, postponing a consumer launch until further technological and manufacturing advancements can be achieved.
Future Prospects
Meta envisions a future where AR glasses like Orion will become mainstream, replacing devices like smartphones. The journey, however, is gradual and fraught with obstacles. The company anticipates the next generation of Orion will be more practical, affordable, and user-friendly.
By addressing the current limitations and refining the technology, Meta aims to create AR glasses that are not only functional but also aesthetically appealing. Future developments will likely see improvements in resolution, brightness, and cost efficiency.
Meta’s Orion AR glasses present a promising glimpse into the future of wearable tech. With significant advancements in display and interactivity, they showcase the potential to transform how we interact with digital information.
Despite the challenges in manufacturing and current limitations, the innovative strides made by Meta in developing Orion are commendable. The next steps will be crucial in determining whether AR glasses can become a viable alternative to smartphones.
