Meta Orion AR Glasses Prototype: Operating System Interface Revealed at Meta Connect 2024

New Developments in Meta’s Orion AR Glasses

Meta’s Orion AR glasses prototype was showcased at Meta Connect 2024, highlighting significant advancements in augmented reality technology. Here are the key points about the prototype and its future development:

Design and Features

• Weight and Design: Orion weighs just under 100 grams and uses a lightweight magnesium frame to minimize weight while maintaining structural integrity[4].
• Field of View: The glasses offer a 70-degree field of view, enabled by custom silicon carbide lenses that minimize stray light effects[5].
• Input Systems: Instead of traditional hand tracking, Orion uses an Electromyography (EMG) wristband for subtle gestures[4].
• AR Display System: The glasses feature a complex interplay of micro-LED projectors and waveguide technology for seamless AR experiences[4].

Operating System

• Prototype OS: Meta has developed a custom operating system for Orion, including user interfaces and key apps, which was demonstrated at the event[1][4].
• App Interface: The operating system includes multiple app launcher main menu interfaces, suggesting experimentation with different approaches[4].
• Interface Differences: The OS is distinct from Horizon OS, which is designed for mixed reality headsets with larger fields of view and more immersive experiences. The performance envelope for Orion is 10 times smaller, requiring simplified interfaces and apps[2][4].

Future Plans

• Consumer Release: Despite the impressive prototype, Orion itself will not be commercially available due to practical mass-production limitations. However, Meta plans to release consumer AR glasses based on the technologies developed during the Orion project with a narrower field of view[2].
• Release Timeline: Meta aims to release these consumer AR glasses by late 2027, as indicated by internal roadmap and hardware schedules[2].

Insights

• Performance Constraints: CTO Andrew Bosworth emphasized that Orion’s compute envelope is significantly smaller than that of Quest headsets, akin to a Gameboy Advance or a DS, not a PS3 or PS2/PS1. This necessitates a simplified architecture and less ambitious apps[2][4].

Summary

Orion AR glasses represent a groundbreaking step in AR technology, showcasing advanced design, input systems, and operating systems. While the prototype itself is not intended for consumer release, the learnings and technologies will shape the future of AR wearables, aiming for a consumer product in 2027.