Smart Glasses with AI Assistant Launch for Low-Vision Users

Envision, an accessibility-focused technology provider, has partnered with eyewear company Solos to launch the Ally Solos Glasses, a new line of smart glasses designed to assist blind and low-vision users. The device features a camera and leverages artificial intelligence to read and translate text, describe surroundings, search the web, and identify people, objects, and signs. Information is delivered to users through open-ear speakers integrated into the ear stems, enabling hands-free, real-time audio feedback. The Ally Solos Glasses are now available for pre-order at a special launch price of $399, down from the standard $699. The glasses come in two frame sizes—regular and large—and are offered in black, gray, and brown color options. Pre-orders are expected to ship in October 2025. Built on the foundation of Solos’ earlier AirGo Vision glasses, which launched in December and used OpenAI’s GPT-4o model for vision recognition, the Ally Solos version replaces that system with Envision’s proprietary “Ally” AI assistant. This AI is powered by a blend of leading foundation models, including Meta’s Llama, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Perplexity, according to the product’s official website. To function, the glasses connect via Bluetooth to the Ally app on iOS or Android devices. They are rated IP67 for dust and water resistance and feature USB-C charging in the ear stems, which promise up to 16 hours of active use on a single charge. A quick 15-minute charge delivers about three hours of battery life, while a full charge takes roughly 90 minutes. Accessibility features in smart glasses are already making a meaningful impact. Envision previously developed assistive eyewear using the now-discontinued Google Glass platform, and the AI-powered vision tools in Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have gained popularity among the low-vision community. However, the Ally Solos Glasses come at a premium price, significantly higher than the $299 AirGo Vision and Ray-Ban Meta models. It remains to be seen how their advanced AI capabilities compare to more affordable alternatives in terms of performance, accuracy, and real-world usability.