Since its launch in 2020, Project Aria has enabled researchers across the world to advance the state of the art in machine perception and AI, through access to cutting-edge research hardware and open-source datasets, models, and tooling. Today, we're excited to announce the next step in this journey: the introduction of Aria Gen 2 glasses. This next generation of hardware will unlock new possibilities across a wide range of research areas including machine perception, egocentric and contextual AI, and robotics.

For researchers looking to explore how AI systems can better understand the world from a human perspective, Aria Gen 2 glasses add a new set of capabilities to the Aria platform. They include a number of advances not found on any other device available today, and access to these breakthrough technologies will enable researchers to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Compared to Aria Gen 1, Aria Gen 2’s unique value proposition includes:

• State-of-the-art sensor suite: The upgraded sensor suite features an RGB camera, 6DOF SLAM cameras, eye tracking cameras, spatial microphones, IMUs, barometer, magnetometer, and GNSS. Compared to its predecessor, Aria Gen 1, the new generation introduces two innovative sensors embedded in the nosepad: a PPG sensor for measuring heart rate and a contact microphone to distinguish the wearer’s voice from that of bystanders.
• Ultra low-power and on-device machine perception: SLAM, eye tracking, hand tracking, and speech recognition are all processed on-device using Meta’s custom silicon.
• All-day usability: Aria Gen 2 glasses are capable of six to eight hours of continuous use, weigh about 75 grams, and have foldable arms for easy portability.
• Interaction through audio: Users get audio feedback via best-in-class open-ear force-canceling speakers, enabling user-in-the-loop system prototyping.
   

Our decade-long journey to create the next computing platform has led to the development of these critical technologies. At Meta, teams at Reality Labs Research and the FAIR AI lab will use them to advance our long-term research vision. Making them available to academic and commercial research labs through Project Aria will further advance open research and public understanding of a key set of technologies that we believe will help shape the future of computing and AI.

The open research enabled by Project Aria since 2020 has already led to important work, including the creation of open-source tools in wide use across academia and industry. The Ego-Exo4D dataset, collected using the first generation of Aria glasses, has become a foundational tool across modern computer vision and the growing field of robotics. Researchers at Georgia Tech recently showed how the Aria Research Kit can help humanoid robots learn to assist people in the home, while teams at BMW used it to explore how to integrate augmented and virtual reality systems into smart vehicles.

And Aria is also enabling the development of new technologies for accessibility. The first-generation Aria glasses were utilized by Carnegie Mellon University in their NavCog project, which aimed to build technologies to assist blind and low-vision individuals with indoor navigation. Building on this foundation, the Aria Gen 2 glasses are now being leveraged by Envision, a company dedicated to creating solutions for people who are blind or have low vision. Envision is exploring the integration of its Ally AI assistant and spatial audio using the latest Aria Gen 2 glasses to enhance indoor navigation and accessibility experiences.

Envision used the on-device SLAM capabilities of Aria Gen 2, along with spatial audio features via onboard speakers, to assist blind and low-vision individuals seamlessly navigate indoor environments. This innovative use of the technologies, which is still in the exploratory and research phase, exemplifies how researchers can leverage Aria Gen 2 glasses for prototyping AI experiences based on egocentric observations. The advanced sensors and on-device machine perception capabilities, including SLAM, eye tracking, hand tracking, and audio interactions, also make them ideal for data collection for research and robotics applications.

Over the coming months, we’ll share more details about the timing of device availability to partners. Researchers interested in accessing Aria Gen 2 can sign up to receive updates. We’re excited to see how researchers will leverage Aria Gen 2 to pave the way for future innovations that will shape the next computing platform.

TrendForce 2025 Infrared Sensing Application Market and Branding Strategies
Release: 01 January 2025
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