Verified Market Research points out a blossoming interest in smart glasses within the wearable tech world. Expecting the industry to thrive, it predicts an annual growth rate of 8.50% from 2023 to 2030. Over the past decade, these nifty gadgets have made huge strides. Today's smart glasses blend perfectly with daily outfits and fit current lifestyles and demands. Keep reading to discover what makes them the next big thing in tech.
Smart glasses always seemed to be a product of science fiction. Today, they're a present reality, equipped with advanced features like sensors, cameras, connectivity features, and more to make life convenient. Multitaskers can turn to Ray-Ban sunglasses, fitted with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, providing users cutting-edge listening, calling, capturing, and live streaming capabilities. With an improved 12 MP ultra-wide lens and a five-mic array, users can capture what they see exactly as they see and hear it for more authentic and immersive content creation. Plus, they let the wearer switch seamlessly between the POVs of their glasses and phone cameras for a unique dual perspective. This is just one frontier where smart glasses could be a game-changer.
Gone are the days when you'd be a laughingstock for wearing bulky, ugly tech eyewear. Smart frames like the Vuzix eyeglasses feature an ultralight form factor. At only 38 grams, the Z100 model is designed to be an all-day notifications center with features for directions and fitness. Users who value privacy can benefit from the Vuzix Incognito technology, which inhibits forward light leakage. This prevents content on the smart glasses from being visible to others. Consider the endless possibilities smart glasses could bring, from bridging communication gaps to enabling hands-free experiences. If you're still on the fence about introducing a digital element to your specs, here are a few more ways they could change your life:
Voice assistance and seamless integration
The industry is agile and ever-evolving, and today's most prominent tech eyewear brands are constantly rolling out new features, given glasses' potential applications as an AI hardware carrier. To illustrate, the latest iteration in the lineup of Oppo glasses is the Air Glass 3, with a voice assistant powered by the Chinese tech giant's large language model, AndesGPT. The chatbot can search for information online, conduct conversations, and even assist with travel plans. With the eyewear's built-in assistant, users can get the info they need when needed, whether they're looking for a restaurant recommendation or a Spanish translation. The glasses come with tactile sensors on the side of the frames and must be tethered to a smartphone. These features underscore how well smart glasses could fit into a user's current hardware ecosystem.
Translation and directional capabilities
Language barriers have held people back from learning about new cultures when traveling. Some smart glasses are attempting to bridge this gap with auto-translation technology. For instance, the TCL RayNeo X2 glasses use simultaneous localization and mapping with gesture recognition to show users nearby landmarks and other relevant information. This can turn even simple walks or bike rides into enriched explorations. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon® XR2 platform, the glasses can also interpret multiple languages in real time by displaying subtitles onscreen when speaking face-to-face. This could make building business connections or speaking with locals overseas a less daunting experience.
Durability and protective features
As jam-packed as smart glasses or smartphones might be with features, they're still vulnerable to water damage and the elements, which is why you probably shouldn't be taking your Apple devices into the shower. But given that old-fashioned glasses typically have to withstand a lot of wear and tear, smart glasses have also had to step up their durability game. Take, for instance, the Razer Anzu frames, open-ear audio glasses with features that also protect the wearer. They're designed to be splash-proof, so they're not affected by sweat, weather, or the occasional unfortunate spill. Plus, they come with lenses that filter 35% of blue light to reduce eyestrain, protecting the eyes over long hours of use. Sturdier smart glasses may result in higher adoption rates since people won't be too afraid to use them daily.
With the abundance of tech players in the smart glasses market, it's clear that we're entering a new age of wearable tech. Now that smartwatches have had their moment in the sun, smart glasses are ready to take the stage, enhancing our point of view both literally and figuratively. As the competition heats up, everyone can look forward to better, faster features in smart glasses that improve your everyday life rather than complicate it.