Meta Orion
| Meta Orion | |
|---|---|
| Basic Info | |
| VR/AR | Augmented Reality |
| Type | AR Glasses |
| Subtype | Research Prototype |
| Platform | Meta AR Platform |
| Creator | Meta Platforms |
| Developer | Meta Reality Labs |
| Manufacturer | Meta Platforms |
| Announcement Date | September 2024 (Meta Connect) |
| Release Date | Prototype only (not for sale) |
| Price | ~$10,000 (production cost per unit) |
| Website | https://www.meta.com/ |
| Versions | Orion Prototype |
| Requires | EMG wristband, wireless compute puck |
| Predecessor | Project Nazare (internal) |
| Successor | Artemis (rumored consumer version ~2027) |
| System | |
| Operating System | Meta AR OS |
| Chipset | Custom silicon (glasses), external compute puck |
| CPU | Custom (glasses), external (puck) |
| GPU | External (compute puck) |
| HPU | Custom silicon for tracking |
| Storage | |
| Storage | Not specified |
| Memory | Not specified |
| SD Card Slot | No |
| Display | |
| Display | microLED projectors |
| Subpixel Layout | N/A |
| Peak Brightness | Not specified |
| Resolution | Not specified (~13 PPD angular resolution) |
| Pixel Density | ~13 PPD |
| Refresh Rate | Not specified |
| Persistence | Low persistence |
| Image | |
| Field of View | ~70° (widest in AR glasses form factor) |
| Horizontal FoV | ~70° |
| Vertical FoV | ~52° (estimated) |
| Average Pixel Density | ~13 PPD |
| Peak Pixel Density | ~13 PPD |
| Foveated Rendering | Yes (eye tracking based) |
| Optics | |
| Optics | Silicon carbide waveguide lenses |
| Ocularity | Binocular |
| IPD Range | Adjustable |
| Adjustable Diopter | Not specified |
| Passthrough | Native see-through (optical AR) |
| Tracking | |
| Tracking | 6DoF (inside-out, custom silicon) |
| Tracking Frequency | Not specified |
| Base Stations | None required |
| Eye Tracking | Yes |
| Face Tracking | Not specified |
| Hand Tracking | Yes |
| Body Tracking | No |
| Rotational Tracking | Yes |
| Positional Tracking | Yes |
| Update Rate | Not specified |
| Tracking Volume | Room-scale |
| Play Space | Mobile AR |
| Latency | Low (wireless streaming) |
| Audio | |
| Audio | Integrated speakers |
| Microphone | Yes |
| 3.5mm Audio Jack | No |
| Camera | Multiple (for tracking) |
| Connectivity | |
| Connectivity | Wireless (to compute puck) |
| Ports | Minimal (charging) |
| Wired Video | No |
| Wireless Video | Yes (to/from compute puck) |
| WiFi | Proprietary wireless |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Power | Internal battery |
| Battery Capacity | Not specified |
| Battery Life | 2-3 hours |
| Charge Time | Not specified |
| Device | |
| Dimensions | Normal glasses form factor |
| Weight | 98g |
| Material | Magnesium alloy frame, silicon carbide lenses |
| Headstrap | None (glasses temples) |
| Haptics | No |
| Color | Black |
| Sensors | Eye tracking, hand tracking cameras, IMU |
| Input | Voice, eye tracking, hand tracking, EMG wristband |
| Compliance | Prototype (not consumer certified) |
The Meta Orion is a prototype augmented reality glasses device developed by Meta Reality Labs, unveiled at Meta Connect in September 2024. Described by Meta as "the most advanced pair of AR glasses ever made," Orion represents Meta's first true AR glasses with holographic displays, achieving a groundbreaking 70° field of view—the widest ever in an AR glasses form factor—while weighing just 98 grams in a package that resembles normal eyeglasses. The prototype combines silicon carbide waveguide lenses (lighter and more durable than glass or plastic), microLED projectors, custom silicon for on-device tracking, and an external wireless compute puck for heavy processing, with input handled through a revolutionary EMG (electromyography) wristband that detects subtle finger movements by sensing muscle activation. With each unit costing approximately $10,000 to produce, Orion is not a consumer product but rather a research and development platform that demonstrates Meta's vision for the future of AR—a consumer version codenamed "Artemis" is rumored for approximately 2027.
Status
Note: Meta Orion is a research prototype and is not available for purchase. Meta has stated that each unit costs approximately $10,000 to produce. The information below reflects the prototype as demonstrated at Meta Connect 2024.
History and Development
Project Nazare
Internal development:
- Long-term AR glasses project
- Years of R&D investment
- Reality Labs focus
- Multi-billion dollar program
Meta Connect 2024
Public unveiling:
- First public demonstration
- "Most advanced AR glasses"
- 70° FOV achievement
- Technology showcase
Research Platform
Current purpose:
- Employee testing
- Select external access
- Iteration and learning
- Consumer path development
Future Consumer Version
Artemis roadmap:
- Consumer version planned
- ~2027 target (per CTO)
- $700-$1,200 target price
- Production optimization needed
Design Philosophy
True AR Glasses
Form factor goal:
- Look like normal glasses
- Lightweight (98g)
- All-day wearable
- Socially acceptable
70° FOV Achievement
Display breakthrough:
- Widest AR glasses FOV ever
- vs HoloLens 2 (52°)
- vs Snap Spectacles (46°)
- vs Xreal glasses (46°)
- Immersive holographics
Distributed Computing
Architecture choice:
- Heavy compute in pocket puck
- Light glasses on face
- Wireless streaming
- Optimal weight distribution
Novel Input Methods
Beyond voice and gestures:
- EMG wristband
- Eye tracking
- Hand tracking
- Voice commands
Display Technology
MicroLED Projectors
Advanced light source:
- Smaller than LCoS
- More power efficient
- High brightness
- Compact integration
Silicon Carbide Waveguides
Revolutionary material:
- Not glass or plastic
- Ultra-high refractive index
- More durable
- Lighter weight
Angular Resolution
Current limitations:
- ~13 pixels per degree
- Similar to Oculus Rift CV1 (2016)
- Trade-off for FOV
- Improvement expected in consumer version
Field of View
Industry-leading:
- FOV: ~70°
- Widest in AR glasses
- Significant for immersion
- Major achievement
Computing Architecture
Wireless Compute Puck
Distributed processing:
- Pocket-sized processor
- Heavy rendering tasks
- Low-latency streaming
- Separate from glasses
On-Device Silicon
Glasses processing:
- Custom silicon chips
- Positional tracking
- Hand tracking
- Eye tracking
- World-locking graphics
Wireless Streaming
Communication:
- Rendered frames to glasses
- Low latency required
- Proprietary connection
- Real-time performance
Input Methods
EMG Wristband
Revolutionary input:
- CTRL Labs acquisition (2019)
- Electromyography technology
- Detects muscle activation
- Subtle finger movements
Wristband Capabilities
Interaction method:
- Minute finger tracking
- No visible gestures needed
- Socially acceptable input
- Natural interaction
Multi-Modal Input
Combined methods:
- Voice commands
- Eye tracking
- Hand tracking
- EMG wristband
- Contextual switching
Tracking System
On-Device Tracking
Custom silicon:
- 6DoF positional tracking
- Inside-out cameras
- Hand tracking
- Eye tracking
World-Locking
AR anchoring:
- Stable holograms
- Environment mapping
- Persistent objects
- Real-world integration
Physical Design
Ultra-Lightweight
Weight achievement:
- Weight: 98 grams
- Normal glasses weight
- All-day wearable
- No head fatigue
Magnesium Alloy Frame
Material choice:
- Lightweight metal
- Heat dissipation
- Structural strength
- Premium feel
Lens Appearance
Visual look:
- Slightly dark lenses
- Similar to transition lenses
- Eyes still visible
- Not opaque
Battery Life
Power constraints:
- 2-3 hours operation
- Internal battery
- Weight limitations
- Trade-off for lightness
Production Reality
Current Cost
Prototype economics:
- ~$10,000 per unit
- Not commercially viable
- R&D expense
- Manufacturing complexity
Consumer Path
Artemis development:
- Target: ~2027
- Target price: $700-$1,200
- Cost reduction needed
- Manufacturing scale
Technology Maturation
Required advances:
- Display manufacturing
- Silicon carbide production
- Compute miniaturization
- Battery technology
Comparison with Current AR
| Feature | Meta Orion | HoloLens 2 | Snap Spectacles 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOV | ~70° | 52° | 46° |
| Weight | 98g | 566g | ~226g |
| Form Factor | Normal glasses | Visor | Glasses |
| Status | Prototype | Commercial | Developer |
| Price | $10,000 (cost) | $3,500 | $99/month dev |
| Compute | External puck | Self-contained | Tethered phone |
Significance
Technology Milestone
Industry impact:
- Widest FOV in glasses form
- Silicon carbide optics first
- EMG input demonstration
- Vision of AR future
Meta's AR Investment
Strategic importance:
- Billions invested in Reality Labs
- Long-term computing platform
- Post-smartphone vision
- Ecosystem development
Consumer AR Path
Industry direction:
- Shows achievable target
- Multi-year development
- Cost reduction trajectory
- Market preparation
Strengths and Limitations
Prototype Strengths
- Industry-leading 70° FOV
- Ultra-lightweight (98g)
- Normal glasses form factor
- Silicon carbide waveguide innovation
- EMG wristband input
- Distributed compute architecture
Prototype Limitations
- Not for sale (~$10,000/unit cost)
- Low angular resolution (~13 PPD)
- Requires external compute puck
- 2-3 hour battery life
- Dark-ish lenses
- Consumer version years away
Technical Specifications Summary
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | AR Glasses Prototype |
| FOV | ~70° (widest in AR glasses) |
| Weight | 98g |
| Optics | Silicon carbide waveguide |
| Display | MicroLED projectors |
| PPD | ~13 (similar to Rift CV1) |
| Compute | Wireless external puck |
| Input | Voice, eye, hand, EMG wristband |
| Battery | 2-3 hours |
| Status | Prototype only |
| Unit Cost | ~$10,000 |