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{{Device Infobox
|image =
|VR/AR = [[Augmented Reality]]
|Type = [[AR Glasses]]
|Subtype = [[Prototype AR]]
|Platform = Meta AR Platform
|Developer = [[Meta]]
|Manufacturer = [[Meta]]
|Demonstration Date = September 2024 (Meta Connect)
|Status = Prototype (not for sale)
|Production Cost = ~$10,000 per unit
|Website = https://www.meta.com/
|Codename = Project Nazare
|Display = MicroLED + Silicon Carbide waveguide
|Field of View = 70°
|Ocularity = Binocular
|Eye Tracking = Integrated
|Hand Tracking = Onboard + EMG wristband
|Cameras = 7
|Audio = Integrated speakers
|Processing = Custom silicon (onboard) + wireless compute puck
|Battery = 2-3 hours
|Frame = Magnesium alloy
}}

The '''Meta Orion''' (Project Nazare) is a prototype [[augmented reality]] glasses device developed by [[Meta]], demonstrated at Meta Connect in September 2024. Described by Meta as "the most advanced pair of AR glasses ever made," featuring 70° field of view (widest consumer AR glasses), silicon carbide waveguide lenses, microLED projectors, onboard custom silicon plus wireless compute puck, 7 cameras, eye tracking, hand tracking with EMG wristband, magnesium frame, and 2-3 hours battery life. Not sold to consumers (production cost ~$10,000), available only to Meta employees and select developers. Consumer version expected 2027 at $700-$1,200.

== Development History ==

Meta unveiled Orion at Meta Connect on September 25, 2024, after years of development under codename "Project Nazare." While not a commercially available product due to ~$10,000 per-unit production cost, Meta described it as their most polished product prototype—representative of what could ship to consumers. The glasses demonstrate Meta's vision for AR computing and inform development of future consumer products expected around 2027 at $700-$1,200 price point.<ref name="meta">{{cite web |url=https://about.fb.com/news/2024/09/introducing-orion-our-first-true-augmented-reality-glasses/ |title=Introducing Orion |publisher=Meta |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>

== Design and Hardware ==

=== Display ===

Innovative optical system:

* '''70° field of view'''
* Widest consumer AR FOV achieved
* '''Silicon carbide waveguides'''
** Stronger than glass
** Lighter than plastic
** High refractive index
** Efficient light direction
* '''MicroLED projectors'''
** Smaller than LCoS
** More power efficient
** Enables slim design

=== Processing ===

Distributed architecture:

* '''Custom silicon''' (onboard)
** Positional tracking
** Hand tracking
** Eye tracking
** AR world-locking algorithms
* '''Wireless compute puck''' (pocket)
** Heavy compute offloading
** Battery management

=== Tracking ===

Comprehensive sensing:

* '''7 cameras'''
* '''Eye tracking'''
* '''Hand tracking''' (onboard)
* '''EMG wristband''' (companion)
** Electromyography
** Detects muscle activation
** Micro finger movements
** Hands at rest interaction
** Swipe, click, scroll gestures

=== Audio ===

* '''Integrated speakers'''
* Spatial audio
* Voice recognition

=== Battery ===

* '''2-3 hours''' runtime
* Distributed between glasses and puck

=== Build ===

* '''Magnesium alloy frame'''
* Efficient heat dissipation
* Lightweight construction
* Glasses-like form factor

== Features ==

=== Key Use Cases ===
* '''Meta AI''' integration
* '''AR games'''
* '''Hands-free video calls'''
* '''Virtual screens''' / multitasking
* Smart home interaction (refrigerator recipes)
* Digital calendar management

=== Interaction ===
* Eye tracking navigation
* Hand gesture control
* EMG wristband precision
* Voice commands
* Look + pinch selection

== EMG Wristband ==

Neural interface accessory:

* '''Electromyography sensing'''
* Muscle activation detection
* Subtle finger movement tracking
* Arm resting comfortably
* No camera line-of-sight needed
* Enables discreet input

== Availability ==

=== Current Status ===
* '''Prototype only'''
* Meta employees access
* Select developer access
* Production cost: ~$10,000/unit
* Not commercially available

=== Future Consumer Version ===
* Expected: ~2027
* Estimated price: $700-$1,200
* Based on Orion technology

== Technical Specifications ==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Specification !! Details
|-
| Display || MicroLED + silicon carbide waveguide
|-
| FOV || 70°
|-
| Cameras || 7
|-
| Eye Tracking || Integrated
|-
| Hand Tracking || Onboard + EMG wristband
|-
| Processing || Custom silicon + wireless puck
|-
| Battery || 2-3 hours
|-
| Frame || Magnesium alloy
|-
| Status || Prototype (not for sale)
|-
| Unit Cost || ~$10,000
|}

== Significance ==

'''Industry Impact:'''
* 70° FOV unprecedented for AR glasses
* Silicon carbide optics breakthrough
* EMG input paradigm shift
* Distributed computing model
* Demonstrates AR glasses viability
* Sets expectations for future products

== Reception ==

'''Praise:'''
* 70° FOV industry-leading
* Silicon carbide innovative
* MicroLED efficient
* EMG wristband revolutionary
* Glasses form factor achieved
* Feature-complete prototype
* Meta AI integration
* 2-3 hours battery reasonable
* Clear consumer path

'''Criticism:'''
* Not available to consumers
* ~$10,000 production cost
* 2027 consumer launch distant
* EMG wristband required
* Wireless puck inconvenient
* Competition advancing
* Prototype limitations<ref name="uploadvr">{{cite web |url=https://www.uploadvr.com/meta-connect-2024-orion-prototype-ar-glasses/ |title=Meta Orion Prototype |publisher=UploadVR |access-date=2025-01-07}}</ref>

== See Also ==
* [[Meta Quest 3]]
* [[Meta Quest Pro]]
* [[Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses]]
* [[Snap Spectacles]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Devices]]
[[Category:Augmented Reality Devices]]
[[Category:AR Glasses]]
[[Category:Prototype devices]]
[[Category:Meta]]
[[Category:2024 in technology]]

Meta Orion - Revision history

Betabot: Improving page with detailed specifications, history, features, and references

Betabot: Improving page with detailed specifications, sections, and references