Sure, here it goes:
So, here’s the deal. Earlier this year, Meta dropped news about this thing called Aria Gen 2, a sequel to their research glasses. They were real hush-hush about it at first, but now they’re getting ready to let outside researchers get their hands on the thing next year. The idea? It’s a peek into what future AR glasses might look like.
Meta talked more about the Aria Gen 2 in a blog post. They spilled some beans on its look, sound, cameras, sensors, and the fancy computer stuff going on inside. Here’s the catch: it can’t do classic AR stuff since it doesn’t have a display—but it’s paving the way for future gadgets.
Computer Vision: A Game-Changer?
Alright, so all-day AR glasses are gonna need some boss-level computer vision. Think about it—mapping rooms and spotting objects like nobody’s business. Meta says the Aria Gen 2 is a step up with four CV cameras (Gen 1 had two), splashy specs like 120 dB HDR global shutters, and a wider view. It even gives 3D tracking a boost. Oh, and they threw in a demo, too. Fancy, right?
Sensors & Smarts
The glasses have sensor upgrades like this ambient light detector, some snazzy contact microphone tucked in the nosepad for clear sound—even in chaos—and a heart rate thingy for health data. And guess what? The brainy stuff inside got better too. Real-time machine whatchamacallit runs on Meta’s custom chip with features like:
- Visual-Inertial Odometry (fancy spatial tracking)
- Eye tracking (where you look, blink, all that jazz)
- Hand tracking (spot-on motions)
- New-age radio tech for almost instant time sync across devices.
Light as a Feather?
Here’s a kicker: Despite all the high-tech sparkle, it’s only around 74-76g. Normal glasses usually weigh, what, 20-50g? And you get eight size options—pick one that fits your nose and head. Did I mention they fold up neatly for you? Handy for when you don’t feel like wearing them all day.
Now, they didn’t chat about battery life—funny that. But there’s a USB-C port on the glasses’ arm. Maybe for a battery pack hookup? Just a guess.
Mashing Human and Machine Vision
The Aria Gen 2 isn’t just about tracking your environment—it’s about watching how you see it. Like, if you’re making coffee, it’s following your gaze and pulse. This contraption knows where you are and where you’re moving—informed by its cameras, magnetometer, and barometer. A goldmine for those human-centric research projects and future AR data collection.
The Future?
Meta’s saying these specs are stepping stones for the future—like the next big tech wave. Are phones going obsolete to these? Maybe, but not tomorrow. Meta’s like, yeah, we’re working on it, but it won’t be cheap. They’ve a demo planned at CVPR 2025—guess we’ll keep an ear open for what rolls out next.
And there you have it, in all its quirky glory!
