Orion: A Glimpse into the Future of AR

Meta has unveiled a prototype for its first AR glasses, called Orion. The product is set to revolutionize the once-damped industry of virtual reality glasses. Some key aspects of Orion include:

1. Large field of view (around 70 degrees) for immersive experiences:

This is a significant improvement over previous AR glasses, which typically have much smaller fields of view. It allows for more realistic and immersive experiences, as users can see a larger portion of the digital world superimposed on the real world. This is essential for applications like gaming, entertainment, and productivity.

2. Transparent lenses so you can see people's eyes:

This is a unique feature that sets Orion apart from other AR glasses. It allows users to maintain eye contact with real-world people, which is important for social interactions. This feature also makes Orion more acceptable to people who are concerned about the social implications of AR glasses.

3. Lightweight and comfortable design:

This is another important factor for mainstream adoption of AR glasses. Orion is designed to be as comfortable as possible to wear for extended periods of time. This is likely to be a major selling point for consumers, especially consumers who are already accustomed to conventional eye wearing glasses.

4. Voice, eye gaze, and hand tracking with an EMG wristband for input:

This is a more natural and intuitive way to interact with AR glasses than traditional input methods like controllers. It allows users to control the glasses with their voice, eyes, and hands. This is likely to make AR glasses more accessible to a wider range of people.

5. Integration with Meta AI for contextual assistance:

This feature allows Orion to provide users with relevant information and assistance based on their surroundings. For example, Orion could suggest recipes based on the ingredients in your refrigerator or provide directions to nearby landmarks. This feature is likely to make Orion more useful and convenient for everyday tasks.

6. Ability to make video calls, play games, multitask with windows, and more:

Orion offers a wide range of features that can be used for both work and play. This is likely to make Orion more appealing to a wider range of consumers.

Challenges of Orion:

• Making the form factor smaller and more stylish: This is a major challenge for AR glasses, as they need to be small enough to be comfortable to wear and stylish enough to be socially acceptable.
• Reducing the cost: AR glasses are currently very expensive, and they will need to become more affordable to be accessible to a wider range of consumers.
• Developing compelling AR experiences: There is a lack of compelling AR applications available at the moment, which could hinder the adoption of AR glasses.

Availability:

• Orion is not currently available for purchase.
• Meta is using it for internal development and to gather feedback.
• Consumer AR glasses are expected to be available in a few years.

Conclusion:

Orion is a significant milestone in the development of AR glasses. It demonstrates that AR glasses are now a viable technology that can be used for a variety of tasks. Orion is likely to accelerate the development of other AR glasses and applications development in the future.