Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have been invigorated with new updates this year! Read on to learn what they are and how you can make the most of their new features.
In October of 2023, Meta (the company behind Facebook and Instagram), teamed up with iconic glasses designer, Ray-Ban, to produce the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
Smart glasses are increasing in popularity, with tech-giants such as Google and Amazon producing their own smart-glasses variants.
Watch our video case study on the Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
For people living with visual impairment, these glasses have a range of features which can help with navigation, locating objects and day-to-day tasks.
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have the traditional look of a pair of Ray-Ban glasses, including a stylish modern frame and lightweight feel, while offering cutting-edge technological features, including built-in camera, speakers, and, in the latest 2024 edition, on-the-go AI assistance.
The glasses are worn just as normal glasses are but must be paired with an up-to-date mobile device with wireless internet connection in order to work. Although the glasses are mostly voice-activated, they also have small buttons on the sides that can be used for different functions.
The small built-in speakers allow for on-the-go navigation while enabling enough background noise to be aware of your surroundings. John, a guide dog owner has found the smart glasses useful while out and about:
‘I have used them to identify things when going out, for example, look and tell me what street I am on – it looks for street signs, pelican crossings etc. I have also taken them to lots of outdoor settings and used them to describe what I am encountering. I use them to read menus, signs, and post.’
Excitingly, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses now have been updated to offer a ‘Be My Eyes’ function, partnering with the app of the same name which enables users to call a sighted volunteer who can provide further information, directions and instructions.
The 2024 updates also now enable users to send messages on apps like WhatsApp and Facebook messenger using voice dictation.
As with any assistive tech, we’d always recommend having an additional mobility aid with you, such as a long cane, to add an extra means of receiving feedback from your environment.
Used in conjunction with Meta’s AI assistant, the glasses can also receive and answer questions, identify objects and describe your surroundings, and even recognise peoples’ faces. These features can be useful both out and about, and in the home. Dennis, a long cane user, uses his Ray-Ban Meta glasses with tasks around the home:
‘It can help me with my cooking. I can look at a product, and it can tell me what the product is... I can look over a pan, it can tell me if my steak is well done or rare, all hands free, and in a lot of situations where I'm using computer screens, it can read the display and tell me without having to hold a phone which can obscure things.’
A key consideration is their price; currently, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses retail from £299 up to £379 on Meta’s website, depending on your frame colour and lens choices. There’s also the option to add your own prescription lens when you take the glasses to your preferred optician. You’ll also need an up-to-date smart phone device, and a Meta account, to use the glasses.
