In Focus: Private eye technology

Facebook has announced Project Aria, a new research project into the future of wearable augmented reality (AR) technology.

Smart glasses have not previously been successful in consumer markets and even Facebook admitted that ‘to actually build glasses flexible enough to work for most face shapes and sizes, and create the software to support them, we still need several generations of breakthroughs, like systems to enhance audio and visual input, contextualised AI, and a lightweight frame to house it all.’

A multiyear collaboration with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica has also been agreed by Facebook, with the companies planning to develop a new generation of smart glasses. Facebook’s apps and technology will be used alongside Essilor-Luxottica’s brand portfolio and lens expertise to develop a Ray-Ban-branded AR frame, set for release in 2021.