Meta has recently provided more details about Aria Gen 2, its latest experimental smart glasses. Designed primarily as a research tool, these glasses aim to advance the fields of augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics. Emma Roth, a seasoned tech journalist, delves into the innovative features of Aria Gen 2, highlighting how they might influence future consumer products. First announced in February, the Aria Gen 2 glasses are an upgrade from Meta's initial 2020 version, which was also exclusively for researchers. These new glasses have a number of enhancements, starting with an advanced eye-tracking system that can monitor each eye's gaze, detect blinks, and estimate the centers of the pupils. According to Meta, this level of detail provides a deeper understanding of the wearer's visual focus and intentions, which can greatly enhance human-computer interaction. This could mean more intuitive control of AR interfaces, for example, allowing users to select options or navigate menus simply by looking at them. In addition to the eye-tracking system, Aria Gen 2 is equipped with four computer vision cameras. These cameras enable 3D hand and object tracking, a feature that is particularly useful for researchers working on intricate tasks such as robotic hand manipulation. The ability to track hands and objects with high precision opens up a range of applications, from improving virtual assistants to enhancing industrial automation. Another notable feature is the photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor integrated into the nosepad. This sensor can estimate the wearer's heart rate, potentially providing valuable health monitoring capabilities. The glasses also include a contact microphone, which improves audio quality in noisy environments, making them more practical for real-world applications. A new ambient light sensor is another addition, allowing the glasses to distinguish between indoor and outdoor lighting conditions. This feature can help optimize display settings and battery usage, ensuring the glasses perform well regardless of the environment. The design of Aria Gen 2 has also been refined. For the first time, the glasses have folding arms, making them more portable and user-friendly. They weigh around 75 grams and are available in eight different sizes, catering to a diverse range of wearers. These improvements not only make the glasses more comfortable but also more suitable for extended periods of wear during research activities. Meta plans to open applications for researchers to use Aria Gen 2 later this year, continuing its commitment to advancing the technology through collaboration with experts in various fields. The company's efforts in this area are part of a broader strategy to develop more sophisticated smart glasses. This includes the Ray-Ban smart glasses, which have already seen successful adoption, and the upcoming Orion AR glasses. Additionally, there are rumored partnerships with Oakley and a high-end "Hypernova" model featuring an integrated screen. By providing researchers with these cutting-edge tools, Meta hopes to drive significant progress in AR, AI, and robotics, ultimately shaping the next generation of computing platforms. The continued development of Aria Gen 2 demonstrates Meta's dedication to this vision and its belief in the transformative potential of wearable technology.