Mark Zuckerberg recently announced Facebook's plans to release its first pair of smart glasses next year through a partnership with EssilorLuxottica, which will see the first model released under the Ray-Ban brand. Other than that, there is no available information yet regarding features, but Zuckerberg made it clear that these are not to be classified as augmented reality (AR) glasses. Instead, they are being viewed as the next step on the journey to creating true AR glasses.
Part of this journey is the ongoing prototype research through the company's Project Aria. The goal with this project is to create the first generation of wearable augmented reality devices. Although Facebook has been talking about creating wearable AR glasses for years now, it will take a few more to see them in the market, with everything still in the testing phase right now.
While Facebook already has an advanced VR device, Oculus Quest 2, the company’s augmented reality ambitions are far more than that. Aria is not designed as a consumer product, but rather it’s the first step in developing necessary precautions, policies, and even the rules of the society that will help in building future AR glasses. Facebook's Project Aria is about to enter its first major testing phase with the company confirming that a limited number of Facebook employees and contractors will be using the new device.
Why AR Glasses Are Both A Good & Bad Idea
The goal is to identify how such a technology can help people with varying physical abilities. In fact, Facebook has already launched a program with Carnegie Mellon University’s Cognitive Assistance Laboratory to create 3D maps of multiple applications that can potentially help people with eye impairments to have a better visualization of their environment. Right now, a lot is going on with the testing, including data mapping that will someday assist in the developments of head tracking, eye tracking, and audio algorithms of the future AR glasses. There’s also a plan to train an AI assistant to help people understand and sense the world around them.
On the surface, it looks like these augmented reality glasses are a good idea. The fact that they aim to help people, especially those with visual impairments, makes the technology all the more appealing. Added to the fact that AR glasses will have the design of ordinary eyeglasses is likely to ensure they are a lot more comfortable when worn each day. However, looking at it from the wider view and there may be some areas of concern. First is the issue of privacy. While at this point, the company is doing everything it can to master the art of data protection with Aria, the privacy issue is not something to worry about later when AR glasses are available.
Facebook has a long history of data breaches and privacy concerns. With AR glasses able to collect data using Facebook logins, one can't help but be cautious about the impact they may have on privacy. Then, there's the question of how much they will cost once they are released. Such a project usually comes with a high cost, and it may be inevitable that Facebook and its partners will need to pass the high price to the consumer.
Source: Facebook