Meta has introduced the next iteration of its augmented reality research glasses, Aria Gen 2, five years after the debut of the first-generation Aria device.
The new version of the glasses comes with several improvements, including an enhanced sensor suite and Meta’s custom silicon. Notably, Aria Gen 2 now features a PPG sensor for heart rate monitoring and a contact microphone designed to isolate the wearer’s voice from background noise.
Weighing just 75 grams, Aria Gen 2 is capable of performing AI tasks like eye tracking, hand tracking, and speech recognition. The glasses also include open-ear “force-canceling” speakers and boast a battery life of up to eight hours.
Meta plans to make Aria Gen 2 available for academic and commercial research labs in the near future. One of the early testers, Envision, is using the device to develop solutions for individuals who are blind or have low vision, according to Meta’s blog post.
