Meta has introduced Aria Gen 2, its latest research glasses for AI, robotics, and machine perception. An upgrade from Project Aria (launched in 2020), Aria Gen 2 includes better sensors, on-device AI processing, and improved usability.
According to the release, Meta will share availability details for the device in the coming months. Researchers can sign up for updates.
It features an RGB camera, SLAM cameras, eye-tracking cameras, spatial microphones, IMUs, GNSS, and two new nosepad sensors: a PPG heart rate monitor and a contact microphone for better voice recognition.
Meta’s custom chip handles SLAM, eye tracking, hand tracking, and speech recognition directly on the device.
Weighing 75g, the glasses offer six to eight hours of battery life and foldable arms for easy portability. Open-ear speakers with force-canceling technology provide real-time AI feedback for interactive experiences.
Meta’s Reality Labs Research and FAIR AI lab will use Aria Gen 2 for AI research, and it will also be available to academic and commercial researchers through Project Aria.
Recently, Amazon partnered with Anthropic to bring an AI-powered Alexa+ to millions of households in the US. With 600 million Alexa devices already out there in the US, this could be the first real experience with generative AI for many.
In addition, Meta is also reportedly preparing to launch a standalone app for its AI assistant, Meta AI, as part of its efforts to rival AI-powered chatbots such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.
First reported by CNBC, the new Meta AI app could be released as early as the next fiscal quarter (April–June). Currently, Meta AI is only accessible through Meta’s existing platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and a dedicated website.
In response to the news, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman responded on X: “ok fine maybe we’ll do a social app.”
Meta is also said to be exploring a paid subscription model for Meta AI, which would introduce additional, yet unspecified, features. However, pricing details remain unknown.
Meta is set to host LlamaCon, its first-ever AI-focused developer conference, scheduled for late April.
