View source for Meta Aria

{{Device Infobox
|name = Meta Aria Gen 2
|image =
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]] / [[Research Device]]
|Type = [[Research Glasses]]
|Subtype = [[AI Research Glasses]], [[Egocentric Vision]]
|Platform = Proprietary Research Platform
|Creator = [[Meta]] (Reality Labs)
|Developer = [[Meta Reality Labs]]
|Manufacturer = [[Meta]]
|Announcement Date = 2024 (Gen 2)
|Release Date = 2024 (Aria Research Kit)
|Price = Research partner program only
|Website = https://www.projectaria.com/
|Versions = Aria Gen 1, Aria Gen 2 (8 size variations)
|Requires = Research partnership with Meta
|Predecessor = [[Project Aria]] Gen 1
|Successor = None announced (precursor to [[Meta Orion]])
|Operating System = Proprietary
|Chipset = Custom processing
|CPU = On-device processing
|GPU = On-device
|HPU =
|Storage = Internal storage
|Memory = Internal RAM
|SD Card Slot = No
|Display = No AR display (research sensors only)
|Subpixel Layout = N/A
|Peak Brightness = N/A
|Resolution = N/A (sensor device)
|Pixel Density = N/A
|Refresh Rate = N/A
|Persistence = N/A
|Field of View = ~300° camera coverage
|Horizontal FoV = ~300° combined cameras
|Vertical FoV = Wide coverage
|Average Pixel Density = N/A
|Peak Pixel Density = N/A
|Foveated Rendering = N/A
|Optics = N/A (sensor glasses)
|Ocularity = N/A
|IPD Range = N/A
|Adjustable Diopter = N/A
|Passthrough = N/A
|Tracking = 6DoF VIO (Visual Inertial Odometry)
|Tracking Frequency = High-speed
|Base Stations = None required
|Eye Tracking = Yes (per-eye gaze, vergence, blink detection)
|Face Tracking = No
|Hand Tracking = Yes (3D hand tracking)
|Body Tracking = No
|Rotational Tracking = Yes
|Positional Tracking = Yes
|Update Rate = Real-time
|Tracking Volume = Indoor/outdoor
|Play Space = Real-world environment
|Latency = Low latency on-device processing
|Audio = Force-canceling open-ear speakers
|Microphone = Yes (spatial microphones + contact mic)
|3.5mm Audio Jack = No
|Camera = RGB + 4× CV cameras + IR eye tracking
|Connectivity = Wireless data transfer
|Ports = Proprietary
|Wired Video = No
|Wireless Video = Yes (data streaming)
|WiFi = Yes
|Bluetooth = Yes
|Power = Internal battery
|Battery Capacity = Internal
|Battery Life = 6-8 hours continuous use
|Charge Time = N/A
|Dimensions = Standard eyewear with folding arms
|Weight = 74-76g
|Material = Lightweight frame
|Headstrap = None (temples)
|Haptics = No
|Color = Professional
|Sensors = RGB camera (120dB HDR), 4× CV cameras, eye tracking cameras, IMU, barometer, magnetometer, GNSS, PPG (heart rate), contact microphone, UV sensor
|Input = Sensor capture only
|Compliance = Research use only
}}

'''Meta Aria Gen 2''' (also known as '''Project Aria''') is a research-focused wearable sensor device developed by [[Meta]]'s Reality Labs, with Gen 2 introduced in 2024. Unlike consumer smart glasses, Aria does not feature an AR display—instead, it is an advanced sensor platform designed to capture egocentric (first-person) data for research in machine perception, contextual AI, robotics, and the development of future AR glasses like [[Meta Orion]]. Weighing just 74-76 grams depending on size (available in 8 variations for optimal fit), Aria Gen 2 features an extensive sensor suite including a high dynamic range RGB camera (120dB vs 70dB in Gen 1), four computer vision cameras providing approximately 300° field of view coverage, camera-based eye tracking with per-eye gaze, vergence point, blink detection, pupil diameter estimation, and 3D hand tracking capabilities. The glasses include spatial microphones and a novel contact microphone embedded in the nosepad to distinguish the wearer's voice from bystanders, along with a PPG sensor for heart rate measurement. With 6-8 hours of continuous battery life and force-canceling open-ear speakers for audio feedback, Aria Gen 2 performs real-time on-device processing rather than relying on cloud computing. Meta provides Aria to internal researchers and over 200 academic and corporate partners through the Aria Research Kit (ARK) program, which became available to broader research community applicants in 2024.

== History and Development ==

=== Project Aria Origins ===
Research initiative:
* Announced September 2020
* Egocentric vision research
* Future AR development
* Reality Labs project

=== Gen 1 Development ===
First generation:
* Internal research use
* Partner program
* Data collection
* Technology development

=== Gen 2 Introduction ===
Current generation:
* 2024 announcement
* Major sensor upgrades
* Expanded partnerships
* Research Kit program

=== Relationship to Orion ===
AR glasses connection:
* Precursor technology
* Research data collection
* Algorithm development
* Future AR foundation

== Design Philosophy ==

=== Research-First Design ===
Purpose:
* Not consumer product
* Research data capture
* Algorithm training
* Technology development

=== Everyday Wearability ===
Form factor:
* Standard eyewear size
* Folding arms (Gen 2)
* Comfortable weight
* All-day use capability

=== Comprehensive Sensing ===
Sensor priority:
* Maximum data capture
* Multi-modal sensors
* Environmental awareness
* User state tracking

=== On-Device Processing ===
Privacy design:
* Local processing
* Reduced cloud dependency
* Lower latency
* Privacy enhancement

== Physical Design ==

=== Weight ===
Lightweight form:
* '''Weight''': 74-76g (depending on size)
* Standard eyewear weight
* All-day comfortable
* Extended wear ready

=== Size Variations ===
Fit options:
* '''Sizes''': 8 variations
* Head breadth options
* Nose bridge variations
* Optimal fit for all users

=== Folding Arms ===
Portability:
* Collapsible temples
* Easy storage
* Transport-friendly
* Everyday practicality

== Camera System ==

=== RGB Camera ===
Primary camera:
* '''HDR Range''': 120dB (Gen 2) vs 70dB (Gen 1)
* Global shutter
* Superior low-light
* Diverse lighting handling

=== Computer Vision Cameras ===
Spatial awareness:
* '''Count''': 4 CV cameras
* '''Coverage''': ~300° field of view
* Front, sides, and rear
* 3D depth mapping

=== Global Shutter ===
Image quality:
* No rolling shutter artifacts
* Motion clarity
* Computer vision optimized
* Blur elimination

=== Ambient Light Sensor ===
Exposure optimization:
* UV sensor included
* Indoor/outdoor detection
* Automatic adjustment
* Optimal capture conditions

== Eye Tracking ==

=== Camera-Based System ===
Gaze detection:
* Eye tracking cameras
* Per-eye gaze tracking
* High accuracy
* Real-time update

=== Eye Tracking Data ===
Captured metrics:
* '''Gaze per eye''': Individual eye direction
* '''Vergence point''': Point of focus
* '''Blink detection''': Eye closure
* '''Pupil center''': Position estimation
* '''Pupil diameter''': Size measurement
* '''Corneal center''': Eye geometry

== Spatial Tracking ==

=== 6DoF VIO ===
Position tracking:
* Visual Inertial Odometry
* Six degrees of freedom
* Spatial frame reference
* No external markers

=== Environment Mapping ===
Spatial understanding:
* Real-time mapping
* Feature extraction
* Location identification
* Navigation capability

=== Hand Tracking ===
Gesture capture:
* 3D hand tracking
* Spatial hand position
* Interaction research
* Natural input study

== Audio System ==

=== Spatial Microphones ===
Audio capture:
* Multiple microphones
* Spatial audio recording
* Environmental sound
* Conversation capture

=== Contact Microphone ===
Novel sensor (Gen 2):
* Nosepad embedded
* Wearer voice isolation
* Bystander distinction
* Privacy enhancement

=== Force-Canceling Speakers ===
Audio output:
* Open-ear design
* Best-in-class quality
* Audio feedback
* System prototyping

== Additional Sensors ==

=== IMU ===
Motion sensing:
* Accelerometer
* Gyroscope
* Motion tracking
* Orientation data

=== Environmental Sensors ===
Context awareness:
* '''Barometer''': Altitude/weather
* '''Magnetometer''': Compass/orientation
* '''GNSS''': GPS location
* Environmental context

=== PPG Sensor ===
Health monitoring (Gen 2):
* Nosepad embedded
* Heart rate measurement
* Physiological data
* User state tracking

== Battery ==

=== Battery Life ===
Power specifications:
* '''Continuous use''': 6-8 hours
* All-day research
* Extended capture
* Practical duration

== Research Applications ==

=== Machine Perception ===
Computer vision:
* Egocentric vision training
* Object recognition
* Scene understanding
* Activity detection

=== Contextual AI ===
AI development:
* Environmental understanding
* User intent prediction
* Context awareness
* Intelligent assistance

=== Robotics ===
Robot development:
* Human-robot interaction
* Navigation algorithms
* Manipulation research
* Embodied AI

=== Accessibility ===
Assistive technology:
* Blind/low-vision research
* Navigation assistance
* Environmental description
* Inclusive technology

== Availability ==

=== Internal Research ===
Meta use:
* Reality Labs research
* Internal teams
* Product development
* Algorithm training

=== Partner Program ===
External access:
* '''Partners''': 200+ academic/corporate
* Research collaboration
* Data sharing
* Joint development

=== Aria Research Kit (ARK) ===
Broader access (2024):
* Research community applications
* Expanded availability
* Academic access
* External researchers

== Comparison with Research/Smart Glasses ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Feature !! Meta Aria Gen 2 !! Ray-Ban Meta !! Snap Spectacles !! Google Glass EE2
|-
| Type || Research sensors || Consumer smart || AR development || Enterprise
|-
| AR Display || No || No || Yes || Yes
|-
| Weight || 74-76g || ~50g || 226g || 51g
|-
| Eye Tracking || Yes || No || Yes || No
|-
| Hand Tracking || Yes || No || Yes || No
|-
| RGB Camera HDR || 120dB || Standard || Standard || Standard
|-
| CV Cameras || 4 (~300°) || 1 || Multiple || 1
|-
| Battery Life || 6-8 hours || 4 hours || 45 min || 8 hours
|-
| Availability || Research only || Consumer || Developer || Enterprise
|-
| Price || Partner program || $299 || $99/month || $999
|}

== Strengths and Limitations ==

=== Strengths ===
* 120dB high dynamic range RGB camera
* ~300° CV camera coverage (4 cameras)
* Comprehensive eye tracking (gaze, vergence, blink, pupil)
* 3D hand tracking capability
* 74-76g lightweight design
* 8 size variations for optimal fit
* 6-8 hours battery life
* On-device real-time processing
* Contact microphone for voice isolation
* PPG heart rate sensor
* GNSS + barometer + magnetometer

=== Limitations ===
* No AR display (sensor-only device)
* Not available for consumer purchase
* Research partnership required
* Limited to approved programs
* Not a commercial product
* Specific research use cases
* Data handling restrictions
* Academic/corporate focus only

== Technical Specifications Summary ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Specification !! Details
|-
| Type || Research sensor glasses
|-
| Weight || 74-76g
|-
| Sizes || 8 variations
|-
| RGB Camera || Global shutter, 120dB HDR
|-
| CV Cameras || 4 (~300° coverage)
|-
| Eye Tracking || Per-eye gaze, vergence, blink, pupil
|-
| Hand Tracking || 3D hand position
|-
| Spatial Tracking || 6DoF VIO
|-
| Audio || Spatial mics + contact mic + speakers
|-
| Sensors || IMU, barometer, magnetometer, GNSS, PPG
|-
| Battery || 6-8 hours
|-
| Availability || Research partner program
|}

== See Also ==
* [[Meta]]
* [[Meta Orion]]
* [[Project Aria]]
* [[Egocentric Vision]]
* [[Research Glasses]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Research Devices]]
[[Category:Smart Glasses]]
[[Category:Meta]]
[[Category:AI Research]]
[[Category:2020s Wearables]]