Meta could debut cutting-edge augmented reality glasses in 2024, according to comments from its CTO Andrew Bosworth to The Verge. The company has been working on immersive technologies for 10 years and has established itself as a leader in the virtual reality headset market. However, the market with the greatest potential is attributed to augmented reality, the idea of which is to replace the smartphone as the standard computing device.
However, this assumes that these glasses are almost as compact and light as prescription glasses while offering more attractive features than is possible today. This is not an easy task. Many have abandoned their efforts in this area, including Apple and Google. The reason is simple: the necessary technologies are simply not ready yet.
State-of-the-art technologies for a demonstration of power
Meta is more committed to this space than any other company, but suffers from the same limitations. In 2022, the company's roadmap was leaked, revealing its decision to launch a first model of glasses (codenamed “Orion”) in very limited quantities, with access reserved for certain developers and creators. This is his solution to succeed where others have given up: using very expensive technologies that cannot currently be mass-produced.
During the interview with The Verge on December 21, 2023, Andrew Bosworth confirmed that testing of these glasses will begin internally at Meta next year and that “there's a good chance that people will have the opportunity to play with them in 2024.” .” Then add that this may be the most advanced electronic device ever created by the human species in the field of consumer electronics. Suffice it to say, expectations are likely to be high following these declarations.
A general public version after 3 years at the earliest
According to rumors, there are MicroLED screens (Meta has partnerships in this area) whose brightness is strong enough to allow outdoor use and whose consumption is relatively low, as well as silicon carbide waveguides that have a field of view of up to 70° can offer. But nothing has been confirmed so far. Importantly, these technologies are unlikely to be integrated into a consumer product (at a “reasonable” price) before the end of the decade.
The ability to demonstrate these capabilities even when the product is not available for purchase could help Meta legitimize its efforts to the public, developers and its shareholders. In the meantime, those curious can turn to the Ray-Ban Meta, the result of a partnership with EssilorLuxottica. We'll have to wait a few more years for real AR glasses for the general public.
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