Meta’s Orion AR Glasses May Transform Computing With a Wearable Neck Unit

At A Glance

Orion AR glasses pair with a wireless neck unit housing computing power to maintain sub-100 gram weight.
The neck-worn computing puck connects via Wi-Fi 6 for high-performance processing without bulky hardware in the frames.
This architecture enables the sleek magnesium alloy frames to resemble regular glasses while providing powerful AR capabilities.
The separated computing approach allows for a 70-degree field of view and micro LED projectors without sacrificing wearability.
This design innovation makes Meta’s Orion a potential competitor to Apple’s Vision Pro when it reaches consumers around 2027.

While Apple grabs headlines with its bulky Vision Pro, Meta has been quietly cooking up something that might just change how we think about augmented reality forever. The Orion AR glasses are shockingly light at under 100 grams – that’s less than a deck of cards resting on your nose! These featherweight specs pack some serious tech into a magnesium alloy frame that looks more like regular glasses than something from a sci-fi movie.

What makes Orion special isn’t just what’s in the glasses, but what isn’t. Meta cleverly moved the computing brains to a wireless puck you can slip in your pocket, connected through a super-speedy Wi-Fi 6 link. This design choice keeps the glasses themselves incredibly sleek while still delivering powerful performance.

The display technology is where things get wild. Using micro LED projectors and silicon carbide waveguides, Orion creates crystal-clear images that blend seamlessly with the real world. Early prototypes boast a 70-degree field of view that makes virtual objects feel naturally present in your environment. A more affordable version called Hypernova glasses is planned for release next year, focusing on everyday practicality.

Perhaps the coolest part is how you’ll control these glasses – no clunky controllers needed! An EMG wristband reads the electrical signals from your muscles, turning subtle finger movements into commands. Pinch your fingers together to select something, or make a small gesture to swipe through menus. It’s like having superpowers in your fingertips! The technology enables 3D product exploration similar to virtual shopping experiences.

Meta’s EMG wristband transforms subtle finger movements into digital magic, giving you interface superpowers without bulky controllers.

The potential applications are mind-boggling. Imagine recipe suggestions popping up as you look at ingredients, or having a video call with someone whose hologram appears right in your living room. The high manufacturing cost of approximately $10,000 per prototype means initial distribution will be extremely limited to about 1,000 units.

With seven built-in cameras tracking your eyes, hands, and surroundings, Orion could understand your intentions almost before you do.

Meta’s targeting a 2027 consumer release, giving Apple’s Vision Pro some serious competition. If they can deliver on these promises, we might finally have AR glasses that people actually want to wear all day – not just tech that collects dust in a drawer.