Google unveils AI smart glasses to rival Meta devices

San Jose: Google on Tuesday unveiled smart glasses powered by its Gemini artificial intelligence software, stepping up competition with Meta in the emerging market for AI-enabled wearable devices. The Alphabet-owned company said at its annual Google I/O developer conference that two models featuring cameras and speakers would go on sale later this year. 

The glasses were developed in partnership with Samsung Electronics and eyewear brands Gentle Monster and WarbyParker. 

The built-in camera provides information to Google’s Gemini AI assistant, allowing users to ask questions about what they are seeing. Gemini can, for example, retrieve reviews for a nearby restaurant, explain unusual cloud formations, read out messages, or provide navigation instructions, according to Google. The move pits Google more directly against Meta Platforms, which has spent several years trying to establish smart glasses as a mainstream product category.

 A year ago, Google showed prototypes of AI glasses equipped with a small display capable of projecting visual information such as translations and navigation directions. The company did not provide alaunch date for such display-equipped models at this year’s conference. 

Media reports said Apple has been working on developing smart glasses for years and may initially release models without displays.