Aria Gen 2 AR Glasses

Meta has unveiled the next generation of augmented reality glasses, Aria Gen 2, designed for research. These glasses arrive about five years after the first model and introduce several new features. Among the new functionalities are a PPG sensor that measures heart rate and a contact microphone useful for distinguishing the wearer's voice from that of others. These improvements make Aria Gen 2 more advanced than its predecessor.

Weighing 75 grams, Aria Gen 2 is lightweight and easy to wear. The glasses are equipped with open-ear "force-canceling" speakers, allowing for an immersive audio experience without completely isolating the user from the surrounding environment. Additionally, the battery offers up to eight hours of use on a single charge, enabling prolonged use during research sessions. Aria Gen 2 can perform AI tasks such as eye tracking, hand tracking, and speech recognition, thus increasing the potential applications in various fields.

Meta plans to make the glasses available to academic and commercial research labs in the coming months. One early tester, Envision, is using Aria Gen 2 to develop solutions for blind or low-vision individuals. This project represents an important step in creating assistive technologies, demonstrating how augmented reality can help improve the daily lives of many people. The combination of advanced technology and practical research could lead to significant innovations in the field of visual assistance.