Meta Unveils Aria Gen 2: Advanced AI Smart Glasses for Research and Accessibility

Meta's new smart glasses come with some much-needed upgrades to their battery and sensors

These upgrades could tease improvements for Meta's consumer specs Meta has just launched new AI smart glasses: Aria Gen 2. The bad news is you probably won't get a pair unless you're an AI or robotics researcher, but the good news is the upgrades the glasses boast might tease updates we can expect to see from its next-gen consumer specs that are rumored to be landing this year - and the consumer versions of its Meta Orion AR glasses. At least, that's what I'm hoping for. Aria is Meta's researcher-focused AI glasses line used by researchers to help them improve their own hardware and software development, with the glasses being outfitted with all sorts of sensors Meta's consumer specs lack. Aria Gen 2 boasts eye tracking cameras, a barometer, a PPG sensor for measuring heart rate, and a contact microphone to distinguish the wearer's voice from that of bystanders to name just a few. The PPG and contact microphone are new to Aria Gen 2, and they're two sensors I could see Meta's next-gen consumer specs adopting. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses are already very good at picking up when I'm talking to them - I was on vacation with them recently and even in a crowded space with a crowd around me they could pick up and answer my questions on Rome's Colosseum - but even better voice detection wouldn't be a bad thing Meanwhile, a heart-rate sensor would be an ideal inclusion in the rumored Oakley smart glasses Meta is said to be making, which are aimed at athletes. Meta's existing specs don't seem super athlete focused in terms of hardware or software, and this would be one immediate remedy to that issue. Sensors aside, the biggest benefit of Aria Gen 2 is that the glasses are apparently capable of six to eight hours of continuous use, which is at least four times longer than the roughly one and a half hours you could expect from Aria Gen 1. I'm not expecting the same degree of battery life improvements from Meta's consumer specs (in part because Aria's design is typically more bulky, allowing for a function over fashion approach, such as bigger heavier batteries) but if even some of Aria's battery improvements can make it to Meta's other glasses then that would ease my concerns over its leaked Meta Ray-Bans with an inbuilt display. The current display-less model only lasts for about three hours of use, and I could see the display-equipped version running out of charge much faster. But with some battery upgrades borrowed from Aria Gen 2, the new Meta glasses with a screen might be able to maintain the three-hour battery life we've become accustomed to. Lastly, Meta claims its Aria glasses are packing best-in-class open-ear force-canceling speakers. The Meta Ray-Bans can leak a fair amount of audio, so an improved design would be excellent for privacy - and better speakers in general would make them more capable headphone alternatives. We'll have to wait and see what Meta has in store for us if and when its next smart glasses launch. There's of course no guarantee that any of these Aria upgrades will come to Meta's consumer specs but I'll have my fingers crossed that at Meta Connect 2025 in September we'll see at least a couple make their way to new smart glasses.

Meta presents its new smart glasses Aria Gen 2, for researchers - Softonic

The objective is not only designed for academic development but also for assisting blind people Meta has unveiled its new augmented reality glasses Aria Gen 2, specifically designed for researchers and featuring a set of innovative characteristics. This second model, which follows the launch of the first generation in 2020, aims to facilitate the exploration of machine perception and artificial intelligence systems from a human perspective. The Aria Gen 2 are equipped with an RGB camera, spatial microphones, eye tracking sensors, and heart rate sensors, as well as a contact microphone that allows distinguishing the user's voice from that of others. This approach aims not only at academic development but also at assisting blind or visually impaired individuals. In a demonstration, a user can request help to pick apples, and the glasses guide them to the right place using sounds as a reference. Weighing 75 grams and with a battery life of between 6 and 8 hours, the new glasses promise to be a versatile tool for researchers looking to create open-source tools, anticipating the possible arrival of other augmented reality products from Meta in 2027. Meta highlights that these glasses are not intended for the general consumer, but they offer a glimpse of the features that could be available in the future, such as the use of emerging technologies, including the future integration of Android XR in Samsung devices. In addition, hand and eye tracking technology allows users to interact with interfaces directly through the glasses, similar to a display module. These innovations place the Aria Gen 2 at the forefront of smart glasses technology, marking a significant step towards the development of more advanced AR products.

Meta reveals new AR glasses that can measure your heart rate and help the blind navigate with sound

Meta Project Aria Gen 2 could be a glimpse of the future of smart glasses As Meta makes its push for mixed-reality products, it's now introduced its next-gen AR glasses for research -- and they come with a new set of features like heart rate monitoring and a contact microphone to distinguish people's voices from your own. In a blog post, Meta announced Aria Gen 2, a new pair of augmented reality glasses to enable researchers to explore machine perception and AI systems through a human perspective. Following the first-gen Aria AR glasses, which debuted in 2020, the new device comes with a suite of upgrades and new features. This includes an RGB camera, eye tracking cameras, spatial microphones and a barometer. There's hand tracking, too, along with a 6DOF SLAM camera that can track positions and orientation in a 3D space. The Aria Gen 2 come with two new sensors embdded in the nosepad of the glasses: inluding a PPG sensor for measuring heart rate and a contact microphone to "distinguish the wearer's voice from that of bystanders." The glasses weigh 75 grams (2.6 ounces) and come with improved battery life, lasting around 6 to 8 hours. Plus, they come with open-ear force-canceling speakers for spatial audio features. "They include a number of advances not found on any other device available today, and access to these breakthrough technologies will enable researchers to push the boundaries of what's possible," Meta states in the post. While the AR glasses are aimed at researchers to create open-source tools in wide use across academia and industry, they are being put to use to assist blind and low-vision individuals with indoor navigation, too. In a video demo, a user walking around a store asks "help me pick up some apples." The glasses then direct the user to where the apples are placed, using sounds to navigate their surroundings. While these aren't aimed at consumers, they may offer a glimpse of what may be coming down the line, seeing as Meta's first "real" AR glasses are tipped to debut in 2027. With the ability to measure heart rate, map surroundings to navigate users around and eye and hand tracking, Meta's Aria Gen 2 may have just given us a glimpse of the features we can expect in AR glasses down the line. We've already seen what Ray-Ban Meta's AI updates can offer, including more natural conversations and being able to recall previous objects you've viewed in real life, but the Aria Gen 2 glasses deliver a look at more features that can be included in everyday eyewear. A heart rate monitor can lead to health-focused features, and onboard spatial audio can be used to guide users to specific destinations (like finding a lost item). The hand and eye tracking can navigate a user interface right on the glasses -- like a near-eye display module on the Halliday smart glasses. Moreover, with battery life lasting up to 8 hours, the Aria Gen 2 show good signs for more consumer-ready AR glasses. With Android XR set to arrive soon in Samsung's Project Moohan headset, we're already seeing advancements in wearable AR tech. Plus, the Xreal One AR Glasses have set a new standard for what smart glasses can do. However, if Meta implements what we've seen with its new Aria Gen 2 spectacles in upcoming products down the line, it shows how far AR glasses can go. The Meta Aria Gen 2 are set to be available to academic researchers over the next few months. If you're looking for a pair for yourself, however, check out the best smart glasses to get right now.

Meta Introduces Research-Focused Aria Gen 2 Glasses With These Upgrades

Aria Gen 2 also features a contact microphone in the nosepad The AI-powered glasses are capable of on-device processing It is the successor to Project Aria, launched in 2020 Meta Aria Gen 2 smart glasses were unveiled on Thursday. The research-focused wearable device is the successor to Project Aria, which was launched in 2020. The second generation of the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) focused device arrives with upgrades to existing sensors and addition of a couple of new sensors. The Menlo Park-based tech giant has also improved the battery life of the device. The Aria Gen 2 glasses will be available to partners in the coming months. In a blog post, the tech giant announced the Aria Gen 2 glasses. It is not a retail product like the Ray-Ban Meta Glasses. Instead, this device is aimed at researchers and Meta's partners to enable them to develop new technologies. The company stated that the second generation of the wearable will help advance research in areas including machine perception, egocentric and contextual AI, as well as robotics. The project primarily focuses on solving machine perception issues that act as bottlenecks for augmented reality (AR) glasses today. The company has partnered with companies such as BMW, as well as universities including Carnegie Mellon, IIIT Hyderabad, and the University of Bristol. Meta is also onboarding new research partners. Project Aria, the predecessor to the current generation of smart glasses, arrived with a display. That has now been removed with Meta Aria Gen 2. The new device weighs 75g and has foldable arms for portability. Apart from this one major omission, the wearable gains several upgrades. The existing suite of sensors has been upgraded. These include an RGB camera, Six Degrees of Freedom Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (6DOF SLAM) cameras, eye tracking cameras, spatial microphones, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), barometer, magnetometer, and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Additionally, the Aria Gen 2 also gets two new sensors in the nosepad -- a Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor for measuring heart rate and a contact microphone that distinguishes the wearer's voice from those of bystanders. Meta also highlighted that the second generation of the wearables arrive with on-device processing capabilities for several machine perception systems including SLAM, eye tracking, hand tracking, and speech recognition. This is being powered by undisclosed custom silicon by the company. The tech giant has also improved the battery backup of the device and claims that users will get six to eight hours of continuous usage.

Meta shows off Aria Gen 2 smart glasses with heart rate tracking

A few months ago, Meta introduced the Orion, a pair of smart glasses with cutting-edge holographic display units. While those glasses are still a few years into the future, Meta has today introduced the Aria Gen 2 platform. Shaped somewhat like the Ray-Ban Meta Stories smart glasses, but with bulkier arms, the next-gen Aria smart glasses come with a handful of notable upgrades. For example, they are fitted with a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor for heart rate measurement. The PPG sensor is embedded within the nose pad of the smart glasses. These are the first pair of smart glasses out there to offer this biosensing facility, though not the only ones in the wearable segment. Apple's new Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds also come kitted with a heart rate sensor. Recommended Videos Think of them as Ray-Ban Stories with too many onboard sensors. Meta says it has also updated the sensor stack on the Aria Gen 2 smart glasses, equipping them with a regular RGB camera as well as eye-tracking cameras. Going a step further, the company also armed them with Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) cameras with 6 degree of freedom (DoF) movement support. The hardware stack even includes GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), a barometer for pressure sensing, and a magnetometer, as well. There's also a contact-based microphone array on the smart glasses to separate the speaker's voice beam from other people in its vicinity. Meta says it created a custom processing assembly so that the sophisticated sensing stack can draw power in the most efficient way. Talking about power draw, Meta says the Aria Gen 2 smart glasses can be worn for "six to eight hours of continuous use," which is unprecedented. Unfortunately, these smart glasses are not for sale to the masses. Instead, they will be extended to researchers, and will also be used by Meta's own employees in the Reality Labs and FAIR AI divisons. The glasses built atop the Aria platform have found utility in multiple domains, such as automobiles and creating med-tech tools like those aimed at helping people living with vision problems and assisting with navigation. The data collected by Aria Gen 2 smart glasses will also be used for robotics training. Meta has been working on robotic advancements for years and it is said to be eyeing humanoid robots in the near future.

Meta's Aria Gen 2 glasses are here but you can't buy them

A few months ago, Meta introduced the Orion, a pair of smart glasses featuring advanced holographic display units. Today, Meta has unveiled the Aria Gen 2 platform, which builds upon the original Aria smart glasses project. The next-generation Aria smart glasses are designed similarly to Ray-Ban Meta Stories but feature bulkier arms. One significant upgrade is the integration of a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor, embedded in the nose pad, which allows for heart rate measurement. These glasses are the first of their kind to include this biosensing capability. Meta has enhanced the sensor stack of the Aria Gen 2 glasses, equipping them with a regular RGB camera, eye-tracking cameras, and Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) cameras, supporting six degrees of freedom (DoF) movement. Additional hardware includes a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a barometer for pressure sensing, and a magnetometer. The glasses also feature a contact-based microphone array that isolates the user's voice from surrounding noise. Meta developed a custom processing assembly to ensure efficient power consumption of the sophisticated sensor stack. The Aria Gen 2 smart glasses can be worn continuously for six to eight hours, which is significantly noteworthy in the wearable technology market. However, these smart glasses are not available for public sale. They will be distributed to researchers as well as Meta employees working in the Reality Labs and FAIR AI divisions. The Aria platform has found various applications in fields such as automotive technology and medical tools, including solutions for individuals with vision impairments and navigation assistance. The data collected from the Aria Gen 2 smart glasses will support advancements in robotics training, with Meta looking to further develop robotic technology, including humanoid robots, in the future. Since its inception in 2020, Project Aria has facilitated global research in machine perception and AI by providing access to advanced research hardware and open-source datasets. The new Aria Gen 2 glasses expand the capabilities of the Aria platform, especially in research areas such as egocentric and contextual AI, and robotics. Compared to its predecessor, Aria Gen 1, the unique attributes of Aria Gen 2 include: Meta's Reality Labs Research and FAIR AI lab will utilize the Aria Gen 2 glasses to pursue long-term research objectives. The availability of this technology to academic and commercial research labs through Project Aria aims to enhance public understanding of critical technologies shaping the future of computing and AI. Past utilization of earlier Aria glasses has produced valuable tools, such as the Ego-Exo4D dataset, instrumental for modern computer vision and robotics. Research teams at institutions like Georgia Tech and automobile manufacturers like BMW have tested the Aria Research Kit to enhance humanoid robotics and integrate augmented and virtual reality systems into vehicles. Meta's display-equipped Ray-Bans could make smartphones look old-school The Aria Gen 2 glasses are also set to contribute to technologies for accessibility. Envision, an organization focused on assisting individuals with low vision, is leveraging these glasses in collaboration with a project that aims to improve indoor navigation through spatial audio integration with its Ally AI assistant. This application demonstrates the glasses' potential in facilitating seamless navigation for blind and low-vision individuals, leveraging the on-device SLAM and audio features. In the coming months, Meta plans to provide further details regarding the availability of Aria Gen 2 to partner organizations. Researchers interested in accessing these smart glasses can sign up for updates on Meta's progress in this field.

Meta announces Aria Gen 2 smart glasses for AI and research advancements: All you need to know

Envision is testing Aria Gen 2 for indoor navigation assistance for blind and low-vision users. Meta Aria Gen 2, the latest version of smart glasses designed for AI and machine perception research, has been unveiled. Built on the foundation of Project Aria, which was formed in 2020, the new hardware provides new advanced sensors, on-device processing, and improved usability, with the goal of advancing research in robotics, AI, and accessibility technologies. The new Aria Gen 2 glasses feature an upgraded sensor suite that includes RGB cameras, spatial microphones, IMUs, and GNSS tracking capabilities. It also has two new sensors in the nosepad: a PPG sensor for tracking heart rate and a contact microphone that separates the wearer's voice from background noise. The company's custom silicon also enables on-device machine perception, including SLAM, eye tracking, hand tracking, and speech recognition, without relying on cloud computing. READ: Meta smart glasses used to scout and attack in US: Here is what they are capable of According to Meta, Aria Gen 1 has been used by AI, augmented reality, and robotics researchers and developers for projects involving computer vision and human-AI interactions. The company also claimed that car manufacturer BMW explored incorporating AR and VR into smart vehicles, while Georgia Tech used the device to assist robots in home environments using the device. The company also stated that the new Aria Gen 2 model is expected to contribute to accessibility innovations, with Envision testing its indoor navigation capabilities for blind and low-vision users. Meta plans to make Aria Gen 2 available to academic and commercial research partners in the coming months, with more information on availability expected shortly. Researchers interested in testing AI applications on the device will have to sign up to get access. "In the coming months, we will share more information with partners about the timing of device availability. We're excited to see how researchers will use Aria Gen 2 to pave the way for future innovations that will shape the next computing platform," the company wrote in a blog post.

Meta announces experimental Aria Gen 2 research smart glasses

At the Meta Connect developer conference, Mark Zuckerberg, head of the Facebook group Meta, shows the prototype of computer glasses that can display digital objects in transparent lenses. Meta on Thursday revealed the latest version of its experimental smart glasses intended to help bolster research into artificial intelligence, robotics and machine perception. The Aria Gen 2 glasses, as they're called, are designed for researchers to use as tools to assist with their studies into robotic systems, advanced sensors and other technologies, Meta said in a blog post. For instance, the startup Envision is using the new glasses to help it create services for the visually and hearing impaired, according to the blog. The new glasses are an improvement from the Aria Gen 1 glasses, which Meta announced in 2020. The Aria Gen 2 represent the latest step by Meta in its efforts to build out smart glasses into the next major computing platform after the smartphone. The company also sells the $300 Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which have an AI voice assistant and can be used to take photos and videos, and in September, the company unveiled its cutting-edge Orion glasses prototype that feature full augmented-reality capabilities. Among the Aria Gen 2 glasses' improvements over its predecessor are upgraded sensors including one that measures heart rates, the ability to perform more complicated calculations on the device itself with Meta's custom computer chips and "all-day usability," the blog said. "Making them available to academic and commercial research labs through Project Aria will further advance open research and public understanding of a key set of technologies that we believe will help shape the future of computing and AI," the company wrote. Meta did not reveal when the device will be more widely available to researchers, but said that there is an option for them to sign-up for updates.

Meta Introduces Aria Gen 2, Its Next-Gen AI Research Glasses

They are also reportedly launching a standalone app for its AI assistant. Meta has introduced Aria Gen 2, its latest research glasses for AI, robotics, and machine perception. An upgrade from Project Aria (launched in 2020), Aria Gen 2 includes better sensors, on-device AI processing, and improved usability. According to the release, Meta will share availability details for the device in the coming months. Researchers can sign up for updates. It features an RGB camera, SLAM cameras, eye-tracking cameras, spatial microphones, IMUs, GNSS, and two new nosepad sensors: a PPG heart rate monitor and a contact microphone for better voice recognition. Meta's custom chip handles SLAM, eye tracking, hand tracking, and speech recognition directly on the device. Weighing 75g, the glasses offer six to eight hours of battery life and foldable arms for easy portability. Open-ear speakers with force-canceling technology provide real-time AI feedback for interactive experiences. Meta's Reality Labs Research and FAIR AI lab will use Aria Gen 2 for AI research, and it will also be available to academic and commercial researchers through Project Aria. Recently, Amazon partnered with Anthropic to bring an AI-powered Alexa+ to millions of households in the US. With 600 million Alexa devices already out there in the US, this could be the first real experience with generative AI for many. In addition, Meta is also reportedly preparing to launch a standalone app for its AI assistant, Meta AI, as part of its efforts to rival AI-powered chatbots such as OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini. First reported by CNBC, the new Meta AI app could be released as early as the next fiscal quarter (April-June). Currently, Meta AI is only accessible through Meta's existing platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and a dedicated website. In response to the news, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded on X: "ok fine maybe we'll do a social app." Meta is also said to be exploring a paid subscription model for Meta AI, which would introduce additional, yet unspecified, features. However, pricing details remain unknown. Meta is set to host LlamaCon, its first-ever AI-focused developer conference, scheduled for late April.

Meta's new AR glasses for research can measure heart rate | TechCrunch

Meta has unveiled the next generation of its Project Aria augmented reality glasses for research: Aria Gen 2. Aria Gen 2, which arrives roughly five years after the first-generation Aria device, adds new capabilities to the platform, including an upgraded sensor suite and Meta's custom silicon. Aria Gen 2 has a PPG sensor for measuring heart rate and a contact microphone to distinguish the wearer's voice from that of bystanders. Meta says that the 75-gram Aria Gen 2, which can perform AI tasks like eye tracking, hand tracking, and speech recognition, packs open-ear "force-canceling" speakers and a battery that lasts up to eight hours on a charge. Meta plans to make the glasses available to academic and commercial research labs in the coming months. One early tester, Envision, is piloting Aria Gen 2 to create solutions for people who are blind or have low vision, Meta said in a blog post.