Latest news with #OrionAR
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Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Meta's next-gen smart glasses could get 'super-sensing' vision: What is it
Meta is reportedly developing a 'super-sensing' vision technology for smart glasses that could enable advanced real-time recognition of people, objects, and environments. According to a report by The Verge, citing The Information, the new Meta smart glasses — currently under development under the codenames 'Aperol' and 'Bellini' — are expected to feature this AI-powered visual ability. Meta's super-sensing vision The new technology would allow Meta's smart glasses to identify people by name through facial recognition and trigger context-aware reminders. For instance, the AI could remind users to grab their keys if it notices they have not, or prompt them to pick up groceries when passing a store. To support these features, the glasses would need to keep their onboard cameras and sensors continuously active — something Meta has reportedly started testing on its current-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses. However, it is said that battery drain has proven to be a significant hurdle, which is why Meta is likely targeting the feature for its next-generation models with improved power efficiency. New Meta smart glasses While specific details on the upcoming models remain limited, previous reports indicate that the next-generation Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses will include a small display integrated into the lower section of the right lens. This would enable a heads-up AR-like experience — allowing users to view notifications, run lightweight apps, and see images directly within their line of sight. Regarding input, these glasses are expected to support touch controls along the temple, and Meta is also developing a wrist-worn controller to offer additional interaction options. This wrist device is said to be similar to the one shown off with Meta's Orion AR prototype glasses last year. In addition to the Ray-Ban partnership, Meta is also reportedly working on a new line of smart glasses in collaboration with Oakley — another eyewear brand under the EssilorLuxottica umbrella, which also owns Ray-Ban. Competition Apple is said to be working on a new pair of smart glasses similar in concept to Meta Ray-Ban glasses. These glasses are expected to use a custom chip based on the Apple Watch processor and could feature multiple built-in cameras. Apple plans to integrate Siri and its upcoming Visual Intelligence AI system to enable real-time scene recognition and contextual assistance. Samsung is also reportedly working on a pair of smart glasses with the project name "Haean." Similar to its upcoming Project Moohan XR headset, the smart glasses are expected to be based on Google's Android XR platform.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Meta is reportedly working on humanoid robots that help with chores
If you look at your Roomba with disgust, thinking about what a far cry it is from the Jetsons' Rosey the Robot, help is on the way. Bloomberg reported on Friday that Meta plans to leverage its advances in AI and augmented reality to build a platform for futuristic humanoid robots that can help with household chores like folding laundry. Meta is reportedly creating a new team within its Reality Labs hardware division, which handles Quest VR headsets and the long-term Orion AR glasses project. Although it will build robot hardware during development, Meta's long-term goal is more like Android, where Google makes the software platform that almost all of the industry (outside of Apple) uses. Meta would make the underlying sensors, AI and software for other companies to put inside their hardware. In other words, it wants to be the Android of androids. At least initially, Meta plans to make household chores the project's central focus. Bloomberg lists folding laundry, carrying glasses of water, putting dinnerware in the dishwasher and other home chores as examples to build excitement around what could be an unsettling product category for many people. (For examples of why those concerns may be warranted, look no further than the Unitree G1 robot that ran full-speed at Engadget's Karissa Bell at CES, momentarily pinning her against the onlooking crowd.) See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Speaking of Unitree, Meta has reportedly held early discussions with the Chinese robotics company, which also makes a quadruped "robot dog" that can run around, climb stairs and sit on its hind legs like a good girl. Meta is also said to have discussed its plans with California-based humanoid robot maker Figure AI, which can count OpenAI, Nvidia, Microsoft, Intel and Jeff Bezos among its investors. Today's humanoid robots aren't advanced enough to pitch in around the house like Rosey, but Meta believes all the resources it's sinking into AI and XR are paving a road to that destination. Although the company thinks it will be a few years before useful humanoid robots are widely available, Meta Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth reportedly views the company's progress in hand tracking, low-bandwidth computing and always-on sensors as advantages. "The core technologies we've already invested in and built across Reality Labs and AI are complementary to developing the advancements needed for robotics," Bosworth reportedly wrote in a memo. "We believe that expanding our portfolio to invest in this field will only accrue value to Meta AI and our mixed and augmented reality programs." Meta isn't alone in raising its eyebrows at the prospect of home robots for (likely rich) consumers. Last year, news broke that Apple was working on robotics. Ditto for Google. Both companies have published research papers on their robotics work. Flying cars may have to wait, but Rosey is looking a lot less like a pipe dream.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Apple preps smart glasses with visionOS and a Meta Ray-Ban rival
It's no secret that Apple's entry into the AR/VR segment didn't quite stir the product revolution that the company may have expected. A cumbersome build married to a sky-high asking price for the Vision Pro headset were some of the key woes, but the company has not given up on its dreams. On the contrary, Apple might even expand into the wearable category beyond the domains of XR itself. According to Bloomberg, the company is working on multiple ideas for smart glasses, both with advanced AR optics and those without a sophisticated display unit. 'Apple is already working on a version of visionOS — the Vision Pro's software — that will run on glasses,' says the report, which comes courtesy of Mark Gurman's PowerOn newsletter. The outlet recently reported on an internal program called 'Atlas' that entailed collecting feedback from employees about the market and potential for smart glasses. The idea is to chalk out the plans for what kind of features and perks Apple should ideally offer on a pair of smart glasses. Apple's work on smart glasses is, once again, late to the domain. Meta has already showcased its Orion AR smart glasses concept, even though it is still a few years from a market release as the company waits for the costs to come down. Google has also confirmed that it is serious about the potential of smart glasses, with Android XR formally laying down the foundations of those plans. There are a few other players out there, such as Halliday and Even Realities, who are taking a more minimalist course for smart glasses. It, however, seems that Apple is not merely content with the premise of XR glasses. The company has apparently paid close attention to the smash hit that was the Meta Stories smart glasses, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban. 'It's also exploring other types of wearable products, including a rival to Meta's Ray-Ban spectacles and even camera-equipped AirPods,' adds the Bloomberg report. The Meta smart glasses, equipped with a pair of front-facing cameras, originally arrived as a companion device for social media sharing and serving as a companion for basic tasks like handling calls and music playback. But in the past few months, they have steadily gained new features, including integration with the Meta AI stack that opens a whole new world of interaction and capabilities for users. The company is reportedly working on a successor that will add a screen for deeper immersion in the coming years. Apple is no stranger to the whole premise. Just look at the Apple Intelligence stack powered by OpenAI's GPT ecosystem and features like Visual Intelligence that uses AI to make sense of the world in the view of a person's eyes, and camera sensors aboard a face-worn device like headsets or smart glasses. However, it is unclear how long it is going to take for Apple to put a pair of smart glasses — with or without XR chops — on the shelves. But given the lukewarm reception it has amassed for its first XR outing with the Vision Pro headset, the company will likely take its own sweet time perfecting its smart glasses and making sure that they stand out from the competition.
