At Meta Connect 2025, Meta Platforms Inc. introduced the Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses alongside the Meta Neural Band, a new wristband controller leveraging surface electromyography (sEMG) for gesture-based interaction. CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated the glasses aim "to preserve this sense of presence that you have with other people," suggesting a shift from traditional smartphone interaction. This hardware launch represents a significant development in Meta's strategy to expand its device ecosystem.
The Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses incorporate existing features such as cameras, speakers, microphones, and an onboard AI assistant. A key enhancement is the offset display, designed to show Meta applications like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook, as well as navigation and live translation, without obstructing the wearer's line of sight. The accompanying Meta Neural Band distinguishes the product through its sEMG technology, which detects nerve signals sent from the brain to the hand during gestures, enabling voiceless text input and other controls. During a live demonstration at the Menlo Park headquarters, Zuckerberg claimed a texting speed of approximately 30 words per minute using the device, while Reality Labs' research participants averaged 21 words per minute. This contrasts with smartphone touchscreen texting speeds, which have been estimated at around 36 words per minute.
This new hardware initiative aligns with Meta's broader objective to gain market share in the device sector, positioning its offerings against those from companies like Apple and Google. The company's Reality Labs division has incurred losses totaling $70 billion since 2020, underscoring Meta's substantial investment in developing augmented and virtual reality technologies. Previous Meta smart glasses have reportedly sold millions of units, providing a foundation for this latest iteration.
Meta has invested significantly in sEMG research since 2021, previously showcasing prototypes such as "Orion." The company, along with competitors Apple and Google, is actively pursuing the long-term vision of smart glasses potentially surpassing smartphones in daily usage. Zuckerberg emphasized a future where "the technology needs to get out of the way," indicating a focus on more seamless and less intrusive user interaction. The Meta Ray-Ban Display offers consumers an initial experience of this potential shift in personal computing.
