Meta Unveils "Meta Ray-Ban Display" Smart Glasses with HUD and sEMG Wristband Control
In a move that signals the company's continued push into the wearable technology market, Meta has revealed its latest smart glasses design, dubbed the "Meta Ray-Ban Display," featuring a monocular heads-up display (HUD) and sEMG wristband control. The leak comes ahead of the Meta Connect 2025 keynote on Wednesday, where the company is expected to make the device official.
According to UploadVR, which obtained a leaked video from Meta's YouTube channel, the "Meta Ray-Ban Display" glasses will be co-branded with EssilorLuxottica, following Meta's $3.5 billion investment in the company last year. The deal gave Meta a 3% stake in EssilorLuxottica.
The leaked video also shows the full lineup of smart glasses from Meta and EssilorLuxottica, including the regular Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Oakley Meta HSTN glasses, and rumored Oakley Meta Sphaera glasses with eye protection and a centered camera. The "Meta Ray-Ban Display" glasses are expected to be priced around $800.
"It's clear that Meta is committed to making wearable technology a key part of its product lineup," said Ben Harrell, an analyst at TechInsights. "The partnership with EssilorLuxottica brings significant resources and expertise to the table, which will help drive innovation in this space."
The sEMG wristband control system has been in development for some time, but this is the first time it has been seen in action. The technology uses surface electromyography (sEMG) sensors to detect muscle activity, allowing users to control their devices with subtle hand gestures.
Industry experts say that the "Meta Ray-Ban Display" glasses could be a game-changer for wearable technology, offering a more seamless and intuitive user experience.
"The HUD display is a major innovation in this space," said Dr. Rachel Kim, a professor of computer science at Stanford University. "It's a key differentiator from other smart glasses on the market, and it will likely appeal to consumers looking for a more immersive experience."
The Meta Connect 2025 keynote is set to take place on Wednesday at 5pm PT, where the company is expected to provide further details about the "Meta Ray-Ban Display" glasses.
Background: Meta has been investing heavily in wearable technology in recent years, with a focus on developing devices that can seamlessly integrate into users' daily lives. The company's previous attempts at smart glasses have met with limited success, but this latest design appears to be a major step forward.
Market Analysis: The wearable technology market is expected to reach $189 billion by 2025, up from $73 billion in 2020. Meta's entry into the market with its "Meta Ray-Ban Display" glasses could give the company a significant share of this growing market.
Economic Impact: The partnership between Meta and EssilorLuxottica will likely have a significant impact on the wearable technology industry as a whole, driving innovation and competition in the space.
*Reporting by Hardware.*