Today at Connect 2024, Mark Zuckerberg introduced Orion, Meta’s first true AR glasses, previously known as Project Nazare. Orion features groundbreaking technologies like silicon carbide lenses, intricate waveguides, uLED projectors, and more, making it the most advanced AR glasses prototype to date. This product prototype marks a significant step towards a scalable consumer device that will transform how people interact with the world.
“We have built AR glasses.”
Five simple words that stand to redefine how we experience the world around us. At Meta, our mission has always been to connect people and bring the world closer together. With Orion, we are building the next computing platform that puts people at the center, enabling them to be more present, connected, and empowered in their daily lives.
The Evolution of AR Glasses
The XR industry has long envisioned true AR glasses—a device that combines a large holographic display and personalized AI assistance in a comfortable, stylish form factor. Today, we’re closer than ever to realizing that vision with Orion, the most advanced pair of AR glasses ever created.
Key Features of Orion:
Industry-Leading Field of View: Approximately 70 degrees, the largest in the AR glasses market, offering immersive experiences from multitasking windows to lifesize holograms.
Silicon Carbide Lenses: Lightweight, artifact-free lenses that bend light in ways never before possible in consumer electronics.
uLED Projectors: Super small, power-efficient projectors that make AR content come to life.
Compact Design: A contemporary glasses form factor with transparent lenses, allowing users to stay present and share experiences with those around them.
Compact Form Factor, Compounded Challenges
Orion is the result of years of research and development, overcoming challenges that once seemed insurmountable. We’ve integrated powerful computing capabilities into a lightweight design, solving the issues of heat dissipation and power consumption with cutting-edge materials and custom silicon.
Highlights:
Magnesium Frames: Used in F1 race cars and spacecraft, the frames are lightweight and rigid, keeping the optical elements in alignment while conducting heat away efficiently.
Cooling Technology: Inspired by NASA’s satellite cooling systems, ensuring Orion stays comfortable for all-day use.
EMG Wristband for Effortless Control: A high-performance textile with embedded EMG sensors to detect even the smallest muscle movements, enabling intuitive interaction with a simple tap or gesture.
AR Experiences on Orion
While Orion is still in its early stages, the potential use cases are vast. From hands-free video calls to immersive shared AR games, Orion offers a glimpse of what’s to come. The smart assistant, Meta AI, running on Orion can understand your surroundings and provide useful visualizations, turning your physical world into a canvas for digital content.
The Wireless Compute Puck
Orion’s wireless compute puck offloads processing tasks, allowing for longer battery life and lower latency. With dual processors, including one custom-designed at Meta, the puck provides the compute power necessary for seamless graphics rendering and AI functionalities, all while being small enough to carry in your pocket.
A Purposeful Product Prototype
Orion won’t be available to consumers yet, but it’s not just a research prototype. It’s a polished product prototype that showcases the potential of what could be available to consumers soon. By focusing on internal development first, we can continue to refine and enhance the technology, ensuring the best possible consumer product when it eventually launches.
What’s Next?
Now that Orion has been introduced, our focus is on fine-tuning the AR display quality, optimizing the form factor, and building at scale to make it more affordable. You can expect new devices from us that build on these R&D efforts in the coming years. Innovations from Orion are already being integrated into our current products, including Meta Quest 3S.
Orion isn’t just a look into the future—it’s a tangible step toward it. At Meta, we’re dedicated to helping people connect more deeply, staying present in the physical world while benefiting from the digital world’s richness. With the next computing platform, you won’t have to choose between the two. Stay tuned as we continue to bring this vision to life.
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