The world of wearable tech has been buzzing ever since Meta unveiled its Orion AR glasses. Combined with recent updates to Snap’s Spectacles and the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, these advancements have ignited a hope that a new era of AR glasses is finally upon us, one that will truly empower creative professionals.
Orion: A Leap Forward in Hardware
Leading the charge is Meta’s Orion. Hot on the heels of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which offer hands-free AI assistance and video recording, Orion elevates the game with silicon carbide lenses, expansive holographic displays, and an impressive field of view – all within a lightweight frame designed for all-day wear. It even includes a wrist controller for intuitive interaction.
Initially intended for public release, Meta opted to refine some features before wider distribution. This includes enhancing the resolution of overlaid augmentations (currently around 13 pixels per degree density) and addressing production costs, which are estimated to be around $10,000. The high cost is partly due to the challenges of growing silicon carbide crystals for the lenses and etching the waveguides to focus projections onto the retina. Meta chose silicon carbide because it enables a wider field of view due to its higher refractive index, while also being lighter and more durable than traditional materials.
A Creative Playground
Mixed reality artist Luke Hurd, fortunate enough to experience Orion firsthand, describes it as "a game-changer" for creatives. "The displays cover the entire lens, which means anything within view can be augmented, offering a larger canvas than ever before. The menus are intuitive, and interaction is a seamless blend of eye tracking and a neural EMG wristband." This wristband translates electrical impulses from wrist and finger movements into inputs, providing haptic feedback to confirm actions.
"No more awkward ‘air pinching’ in public!" Hurd jokes, highlighting a key advantage over gesture-based interactions.
Integrating AI for an Immersive Experience
Just like the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, Orion leverages Meta AI, but with notable enhancements. "Orion has a full AR display that visually identifies and labels objects," Hurd explains. "It requires no phone, and relevant information appears contextually next to physical items." This creates what he describes as "an even more immersive blend of computing and lifestyle."
Josephine Miller, creative director and co-founder of Oraar Studio, agrees. She believes the combination of Meta AI and mixed reality content has the potential to revolutionize various fields. These devices can translate signs, suggest outfit pairings, or scan QR codes—all without touching your phone. "It genuinely feels like having a personal assistant with you at all times." Miller is optimistic that as Orion evolves, we’ll see even more innovative creative applications emerge.
Looking ahead, Miller envisions a future where these devices transform e-commerce, particularly in the realm of digital fashion. "Imagine trying on digital outfits in a mirror before buying them—this level of interaction allows us to engage with brands beyond the confines of phone or computer screens, transforming how we experience fashion," she enthuses.
A Glimpse into the Future of Creation
Hurd believes that the technological convergence within these headsets will fundamentally change how we create. He predicts a major shift in how 2D images are overlaid onto real-world scenes. Currently, this relies on 3D engines, dynamic lighting, materials, and layers – all computationally intensive. But Hurd sees generative AI and segmentation models taking over these tasks, leading to more efficient and realistic overlay capabilities.
Another exciting development is the impact on virtual try-on experiences.
"Right now, we use 3D meshes to render virtual objects, but that’s going to change drastically due to generative AI," Hurd predicts. "Virtual try-on won’t involve simply overlaying a 3D mesh on your body anymore. It will generate the product directly on you in near-real time with accurate sizing and lighting."
Kim Alban, a product designer and digital creative, also sees the potential of Orion to streamline creative workflows and foster collaboration. "AI and AR coming together in this way offers an incredible experience," she believes. "Devices like Orion may pave the way for easier collaboration, allowing creatives to craft more personalized fashion garments."
Alban envisions these devices enabling "truly personalized styles where garments change in real-time based on your environment," blurring the lines between physical and digital fashion.
Comfort and Shared Experiences
Beyond the technical wonders, one question lingers: What’s it actually like to wear Orion? User comfort and self-consciousness are often make-or-break factors for wearable technology. Meta clearly prioritizes these aspects, partnering with the iconic Ray-Ban brand to create a stylish and approachable design.
"Orion consists of three components: glasses, a puck (a wireless computer that needs to stay close by), and a wristband," Alban explains. "The display boasts a 70-degree field of view, the largest on this kind of frame, while retaining vibrant colors. At just 100 grams, the glasses distribute weight evenly, creating a comfortable fit."
Alban sings praises of the intuitive interface: "Interacting with Orion is incredibly smooth. You simply use your eyes and make subtle hand gestures, which the wristband interprets. In my demo, I even generated images with Meta AI just by using my voice!"
Hurd echoes this sentiment, stating that Orion feels the closest to an everyday device of its kind. "Wearing a face computer should feel ambient until you need it, like a phone in your pocket, and Orion echoes this concept perfectly."
But Orion’s capabilities extend beyond individual experiences.
The ability for two users wearing Orion glasses to collaboratively interact with shared digital augmentations opens up a whole new world of possibilities. For example, imagine playing a multiplayer Pong game, using your hands as paddles in a shared virtual space.
The Future of Mixed Reality
The consensus among creatives who have had the opportunity to experience Orion is clear: these glasses have the potential to redefine creative industries and simplify mixed reality interactions.
Let’s hope that the next generation of AR glasses becomes more accessible, empowering a wider audience to explore the possibilities of this exciting technology. While the recent performance of high-end headsets has raised questions about mainstream adoption, the undeniable potential of devices like Orion leaves us with a tantalizing question: are we on the cusp of a mixed reality revolution?