Meta has unveiled a fully functional prototype of a new augmented reality (AR) glasses called Orion. Unlike traditional AR glasses with screens, Orion’s lenses are transparent and made of silicon carbide. This allows users to see the real world while digital elements are overlaid using holographic technology, creating a seamless blend of the physical and digital realms.

Meta transforms digital content into holographic images that can be projected onto the user’s view using tiny holographic projectors embedded within the glasses frame. These projectors emit light waves that are directed and bent by the specialized lenses, creating the illusion of 3D images floating in the user’s environment.

The glasses track the user’s eye movements to adjust the image accordingly, providing a fully immersive 3D experience. Users can interact with these digital elements through voice commands or gestures.

While the holographic images may appear less defined in bright sunlight, and creating detailed, synchronized holographic images for high-definition video is still challenging and costly, the technology is rapidly evolving. It’s likely that we’ll soon see more complex digital elements rendered smoothly and seamlessly.