A year ago I tested Meta’s next-generation conceptual AR glasses, called project Orionin a room on the company’s campus in Menlo Park, California. They incorporated 3D screens and a wireless processor disk, but what captivated me was the futuristic neural bracelet I wore to control them.
Meta’s research in EMG (electromyography or detection of muscle impulses through electrical signals using wearable sensors) is becoming a reality. I hope Meta releases that neural band as an accessory for a new pair of glasses with integrated screens. code name hypernovain your Metaconnection conference on September 17. I’ll be there, so stay tuned for all the news.
goal has many other improvements that should be done on your smart glasses (and virtual reality too), despite the good Ray-Ban Goal I have already achieved it. But the band EMG’s possibly imminent debut is one of the biggest changes to Meta’s wearable strategy in years.
This means that people could use it very soon. And what exactly will be possible with the technology over time? We’re about to find out.
A door opens to neural technology
EMG bands are what Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg considers a completely new future paradigm for interfaces. Instead of controllers or camera-based hand tracking, these bands can record gestural movements like pinching, tapping, thumb movements, and maybe even typing over time.
When I tested the band last year, I was able to do a variety of small gestures to scroll, select things, and navigate. Meta’s chief scientist for Reality Labs Research, Michael Abrash, told me about the possibilities of their neural input technology over the years, which was acquired through CNTRL-Labs in 2019.
With my Orion demo, I also used my eyes. Eye tracking and wristband gestures were combined to make interface navigation work. The experience was similar to what can be done on a larger scale. Apple Vision Probut with an EMG band the gestures can be performed even without being in view of the glasses or headphones, since it works independently.
Meta’s upcoming glasses may not have built-in eye tracking, which means the EMG band won’t necessarily respond as instantly as my gaze-based experiences a year ago. We’ll see.
The EMG band probably won’t be cheap. It is expected to come packaged with Meta’s viewing glasses, which will cost at least $800.
It could also be a sports watch. And how much will it cost?
Meta could go further with this muscle-sensing technology. Reports suggest that Meta could make its own smartwatch that could help track fitness and health in virtual reality and augmented reality, and that watch could also have EMG on board. Meta’s head of wearables, Alex Himel, he already hinted to me That fitness news is coming soon.
It would also make sense for Meta to allow these bands to work with as many VR glasses and headsets as possible, but that may not happen. Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth told me in 2024 that a wristband wouldn’t be as necessary with screenless glasses, including existing Meta Ray Bans, as there wouldn’t be as much need to navigate an interface. Meta could see voice commands still being the way to go for screenless glasses.
EMG bands would also be a foot in the door to developing the technology ahead of Meta’s future moves into AR glasses and reportedly a smaller VR headset in the future. And Meta needs to continue advancing this gesture technology as soon as possible, especially now that competitive options are already emerging.
Apple already has some gesture features on Apple Watchand is expected to have AirPods with infrared cameras to record hand gestures next year. Other companies are trying to unlock gestures through cameras on glasses, connected ring accessories, or existing smartwatches.
Also expect more evolution of the glasses
There are also many other practical improvements I want to see in Meta Connect. Yo According to my ZDNET colleague Jason Hiner That better battery life, better camera quality, more AI features, and overall greater reliability and serviceability are important for Meta’s next-generation glasses.
Meta should also push the limits of its smart glasses with an integrated display this time, to compete with the display-enabled specs of Google, Samsung, Amazon, BreakTCL and many others were waiting in the next year or two.
That bracelet, however, is something no other company has shown me before. In my opinion, it seems to be the most fascinating smart glasses wild card of all.