The XR Weekly Recap (November 19, 2024): Meta Unveils Project Aria Research Kits, Surge of Chinese Smartglasses on the Horizon, and More!

Greetings from Finland! Right now, I’m writing this newsletter as I travel through the stunning landscapes of Finland, from the vibrant city of Helsinki to the enchanting Lapland. As you might guess, it’s been an incredible experience—I’ve even had the chance to meet Santa Claus, hang out with some reindeer, and savor some delicious local cuisine. Soon, I’ll be heading to MatchXR, a significant XR event in Nordic Europe, and can’t wait to share my journeys from there. But before we dive into this week’s news, I’d like to take a moment to dedicate this newsletter to Daniel Dyboski-Bryant, who sadly left us recently. I had the privilege of meeting Daniel multiple times, both in person at events like AWE US and in virtual spaces through platforms like ENGAGE. He was incredibly kind and passionate about using VR for the betterment of humanity, especially in education. Daniel had a profound impact on everyone who met him, and we will all strive to continue his legacy. Farewell, Daniel—you will be truly missed.

Top news this week—Meta has opened the doors to applications for their Project Aria research kits, which were initially kept for internal use only. Announced a few years ago, Project Aria glasses, lacking displays but loaded with sensors like cameras and microphones, were designed to collect data to refine AI/ML systems for future AR glasses. Now, Meta invites research facilities from universities and corporations to apply for these kits, providing not just the glasses but a full suite of development tools, including a companion app, SDK, and cloud services. This initiative is a fantastic chance to explore new academic frontiers in augmented reality technology. Meta has showcased a handful of inspiring project examples from prestigious universities to encourage more participation. If you’re in the research community, this might be worth considering.

In other exciting updates, there’s a surge of interest in smartglasses, notably from China. With the success of Ray-Ban Meta, there’s been a flurry of announcements, including three new AI-powered smartglasses. Xiaomi is reportedly developing a contender with Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses with a release targeted for Q2 2025, aligning with their annual Mi Fan Festival. Meanwhile, Baidu has unveiled the Xiaodu AI Glasses, sporting an impressive lineup of features, and Rokid has introduced their new glasses working with partners like Alipay and brands like BOLON. In the midst of all this activity, even Amazon is entering the scene, planning to equip their delivery drivers with smartglasses that will ease their navigation. It’s a thrilling time in this tech arena, with multiple companies racing to be at the forefront.

Meta also recently launched the Meta For Education initiative in beta. This program aims specifically at universities, offering a range of apps and features to manage Quest headsets. Participating institutions include notable names like the University of Miami and Arizona State University, among others. Meta seems committed to harnessing XR technology’s potential in education, reflecting a strategic move to create long-term engagement in the field by starting with students.

What’s more, Meta provided a sneak peek into its upcoming Orion operating system for their AR glasses. The teaser video offered glimpses of potential user interfaces, reflecting ongoing experimentation with different designs to find the perfect fit for augmented reality. Given the unique nature of AR, it’s no surprise that Meta is exploring various UI options to set a new standard.

bHaptics is refreshing its lineup, introducing the TactSuit Pro for $499, its more affordable sibling TactSuit Air for $249, and the new TactSleeve for $199. These devices offer thrilling tactile feedback experiences across numerous VR platforms, with preorders open through late November.

Horizon Worlds is introducing its own virtual currency, Meta Credits, allowing an internal economy to thrive where users can purchase in-world digital items from creators. It’s a pivotal step for this social platform, and it’ll be intriguing to see how this impacts its ecosystem.

Ekto VR has exciting news—after years of hard work, they’re ready to ship their first batch of VR walking shoes, Genesis, to eager early adopters in March 2025. Keep an eye on future innovations!

The innovative MeRCURY diving mask, aiming to redefine underwater VR experiences, has launched on IndieGoGo. This high-tech XR headset caters predominantly to business use due to its price, offering underwater adventurers a futuristic way to explore.

Apple has also released new immersive videos, including a music video with The Weeknd, promising high-quality experiences for users to enjoy.

In content news, Ember Souls, a VR game reminiscent of Prince of Persia, is launching on Quest soon, among other exciting titles such as Rube Goldberg sandbox Gadgeteer and Beat Saber’s new DLC. There’s a wide array of new experiences and updates in the XR world, ensuring that both gamers and developers alike have something to look forward to.

Lastly, take a moment to consider donating to charities aiding those affected by conflicts, like the one currently in Ukraine, through organizations such as the Red Cross—because every bit helps in these times of need.

As always, thank you for being part of this journey in the ever-evolving world of XR. Until next time!