Wearable Technology: Meta Glasses and Beyond

Wearable technology is transforming the way people interact with the world, particularly for individuals with vision impairments. Devices such as Meta glasses combine augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and voice commands to provide real-time assistance with daily tasks, environmental awareness, and communication.

How Wearable Tech Works

Smart glasses such as Meta glasses are voice activated and designed to be lightweight, stylish, and functional. Using built-in cameras, sensors, and AI, they can:

  • Describe the surrounding environment, including objects, signs, and people*.
  • Read text from menus, labels, and documents.
  • Provide navigation support and public transport updates.
  • Enable hands-free access to digital assistants and other AI tools.

The devices typically connect to a companion smartphone app for setup and personalisation. Some models also offer open-ear audio for discreet feedback without blocking ambient sound.

*This tech is still developing and should not be relied on completely for navigating or identifying your surroundings.

Benefits for Vision Impairment

For people with partial or limited vision, wearable tech can:

  • Support independence by providing on-the-go information.
  • Reduce reliance on smartphones for certain tasks, keeping hands free.
  • Offer real-time contextual awareness that complements other accessibility tools.

However, these devices are not a complete substitute for other assistive technologies and work best when combined with familiar tools such as smartphones or screen readers.

Considerations and Limitations

While wearable AI devices have great potential, there are factors to consider:

  • Accuracy can vary depending on lighting, background noise, and connectivity.
  • Speech-only interfaces may be less practical in public or noisy environments.
  • Certain tasks, like precise text reading, may still be challenging for users with no usable vision.
  • As technology evolves rapidly, newer generations may provide improved features.

Staff Experiences and Insights

To better understand the practical use of Meta glasses, staff members were invited to trial the devices.

Here are some highlights from their feedback:

Ease of Setup

Most found the glasses straightforward to set up, taking just a few minutes with minimal guidance. Minor challenges were reported for locating the pairing button or performing a factory reset.

Most Used Features

Image and environment descriptions, reading text, bus times, menus, and hands-free phone functions were the most commonly used.

Surprises in Use

Many enjoyed the ease of reading and hands-free phone integration. Some found the speech interface slightly uncomfortable in public.

Challenges

Command accuracy, low-light conditions, and targeting text or objects were noted as difficulties.

Future Features

Suggestions included book-reading mode, live navigation guidance, integration with other AI platforms, and more responsive real-time environmental feedback.

Value for Money

Several staff felt the devices are competitively priced for their functionality, particularly compared to what a dedicated accessibility device would cost.

General Impressions

Staff anticipate wearable AI technology becoming essential for daily functional support, with potential integration with hearing aids, navigation apps, and other assistive tech.

Pros & Cons (Staff Feedback Summary)

Pros

  • Affordable compared to specialist visual aids
  • Lightweight, stylish, and comfortable
  • Easy to set up and use
  • Hands-free operation
  • Long battery life
  • Adjustable styles and sizes
  • Enhances independence and confidence

Cons

  • Requires good lighting to operate effectively
  • Speech-only interface may feel awkward in public
  • Targeting specific text or objects can be challenging
  • Connectivity-dependent; performance drops in low signal areas
  • Cannot yet fully replace smartphones or dedicated AI accessibility apps