Meta’s Aria Gen 2 smart glasses promise breakthroughs in eye-tracking, robotics and AI research
Meta has lifted the curtain on Aria Gen 2—its experimental smart glasses that could redefine how humans interact with machines. The device, aimed squarely at researchers rather than consumers, is packed with advanced sensors designed to study augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
First announced back in February, Aria Gen 2 represents Meta’s most ambitious step yet towards what it calls “the next computing platform.” While it won’t be hitting store shelves, the technology hidden within could soon find its way into future consumer wearables.
Central to the glasses’ capabilities is an improved eye-tracking system. Meta says the device can now track the gaze of each eye individually, detect blinks, and estimate pupil centres with remarkable accuracy. “These advanced signals enable a deeper understanding of the wearer’s visual attention and intentions,” Meta explained in its announcement. In essence, the glasses study not just what users look at—but how and why.
But Aria Gen 2 doesn’t stop at eye movement. The device includes four computer vision cameras, allowing for sophisticated hand and object tracking in three dimensions. According to Meta, this data could be used to perform “highly precise tasks like dexterous robot hand manipulation,” signalling potential breakthroughs for robotics researchers.
Beneath the surface, Meta has also added a photoplethysmography sensor discreetly housed in the nosepad. This technology estimates the wearer’s heart rate—a feature typically seen in fitness devices rather than smart glasses. A contact microphone further enhances audio quality, particularly in noisy environments, while a new ambient light sensor helps the system distinguish between indoor and outdoor lighting conditions.
This second-generation Aria model shows clear hardware improvements over Meta’s original Aria glasses, released in 2020 solely for research purposes. The Gen 2 version introduces folding arms for the first time, improving portability, and comes in eight different sizes to fit a wider range of users. Weighing in at around 75 grams, they remain surprisingly lightweight given their array of sensors.
Meta says it plans to open applications later this year for researchers interested in working with Aria Gen 2. The glasses form part of Meta’s broader vision to advance its AR capabilities, building on the success of its Ray-Ban smart glasses and the development of its much-rumoured Orion and Hypernova projects.
The Orion line, reportedly developed in partnership with Oakley, aims to produce consumer-grade augmented reality glasses. Meanwhile, the Hypernova project is said to feature a built-in display, pushing the boundaries even further.
Despite these consumer ambitions, Meta remains clear that Aria Gen 2 is purely for research. By giving scientists access to cutting-edge eye, hand, and physiological tracking data, the company hopes to unlock new possibilities in everything from robotics to brain-computer interfaces.
Emma Roth, the reporter behind the coverage, noted that while many associate Meta’s wearables with flashy consumer products, Aria Gen 2 is aimed at far more foundational work. Its ultimate legacy may be less about becoming a hit gadget and more about fuelling breakthroughs that shape Meta’s long-term technological roadmap.
Meta’s announcement arrives at a time when the race to build the next dominant computing platform is heating up. Companies across the tech sector—from Apple to Google—are vying to develop the AR and AI-powered interfaces of the future. With Aria Gen 2, Meta is placing its bets on deep research rather than immediate commercial payoff.
As applications open for researchers worldwide, Meta’s experimental smart glasses may quietly become the building blocks of tomorrow’s most powerful technologies.
