Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Orion AR glasses during his keynote speech at the Meta Connect event, held at the company’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, on September 25, 2024. Reuters
During its annual Connect conference, Meta, the company behind Facebook, unveiled a working prototype of its new augmented reality (AR) glasses, named Orion. These glasses represent a significant step in Meta’s vision of integrating the virtual world with reality. CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the prototype, emphasizing how these AR glasses offer a glimpse into the future.
Zuckerberg, presenting Orion dramatically from a metal case, described the glasses as “a time machine,” symbolizing a bold leap toward a tech-driven future. He believes that Orion is not only a cool device but also a preview of exciting things to come. The glasses, though still in the early stages of development, allow users to interact with virtual elements using hand-tracking, voice commands, and a wrist-based neural interface. Made from magnesium alloy and powered by custom silicon designed by Meta, the glasses promise advanced functionality and versatility.
While this prototype is still somewhat large and not yet ready for mass production, Zuckerberg shared plans to continue refining the design, making it smaller and more affordable before launching it to the public. Meta expects to introduce its first commercial AR glasses by 2027, after further technological improvements and cost reductions.
Although augmented reality technology has been around for years, it has struggled to gain mainstream success. One notable failure was Google’s Glass glasses, which never fully took off. However, Meta is betting heavily on AR and the broader concept of the “metaverse,” a vision Zuckerberg first outlined in 2021. Despite high development costs and technological challenges, Meta remains committed to pushing AR technology into the everyday lives of consumers.
Along with the Orion glasses, Meta also showcased other innovations at the event, including updates to its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot and a new version of its Quest mixed-reality headset. The Quest 3S, starting at $300, is part of Meta’s effort to make mixed-reality products more affordable. Meta has also introduced enhanced AI features in its Ray-Ban smart glasses, allowing users to scan QR codes, play music, and even perform real-time language translations through voice commands.
Meta is investing heavily in these future technologies. The company is channelling tens of billions of dollars into its AI and metaverse projects. Its AR and virtual reality unit, Reality Labs, lost $8.3 billion in the first half of this year alone, following a $16 billion loss in 2023. Despite these financial setbacks, Meta remains focused on advancing its technological ambitions.
One of the highlights of the conference was a demonstration of Meta’s updated AI capabilities, including the introduction of celebrity voices for the digital assistant. Users can now choose to have their virtual assistant sound like famous figures, such as Judi Dench or John Cena. Zuckerberg believes voice interaction will become a more natural way for people to engage with AI than text-based communication.
