Facebook has ad Project Aria, a research project to build AR (augmented reality) glasses. The social media giant has partnered with EssilorLuxottica, eyewear makers Oakley, RayBan and Armani on the project.
The first smart glasses will be Ray-Bans branded glasses due for launch in 2021. From now on, Project Aria will not launch as a consumer device. It is labeled as a research device to collect the necessary data. The search device will not display lens information, but it will record audio, video, location, and eye movement.
What is the Aria project?
Augmented reality has received a lot of love from big tech companies including Apple and Google. Project Aria is Facebook's research initiative to expand AR applications. Put simply, Facebook collects data to optimize AR glasses before launching them for consumers.
The ultimate goal of AR glasses is to feature a head-up display on your glasses, and the Aria project is a step in that direction.
Facebook will only manufacture a hundred of these devices initially. The device or glasses will be limited to Facebook employees and contractors in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle.
Uses of AR glasses
Facebook made a short video showing the applications of AR glasses and how they will make your life easier. The company has shown that glasses can virtually tell you if you're leaving your keys at the coffee table.
They will guide you for you by telling you to stop at traffic lights. Glasses are even shown recommending items to buy and highlighting items on the wearer's wish list as they walk into a store.
Back to the present, Facebook is also saying that Project Aria is just the first step in that direction and that most of the applications for video are likely from the near future.
Privacy in the AR world
Imagine walking in a world where everything you see is recorded and everyone who sees you is recording you. Too scary? Well, that day is not far away with the coming AR glasses.
So far, Facebook has published guidelines for wearers of these glasses. Researchers in the Aria project will wear a t-shirt telling users that they are registered. They will also be asked not to check in in sensitive areas like changing rooms and toilets.
The device will also have a physical mute button to stop data capture. Wearers will also receive a companion app in their phone to delete portions of the recorded data. However, the video, audio, GPS, and eye movements will be kept on Facebook's servers and users will not be able to access them.
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