Meta is reportedly developing what is known as “super-perceptual” facial recognition technology into its smart glasses lineup. A new report from the information says Meta is developing software for glasses that can identify people by name and better track what users do throughout the day.
The company initially planned to include similar technology in its first wave of smart glasses, but abandoned the effort due to privacy concerns.
But now, the technology seems to be back on the table. Meta is reportedly making two new pairs of smart glasses, known internally as Aperol and Bellini, and is reevaluating its privacy policies and potential security risks associated with the technology, the report said.
The report also says the feature is only optional.
It is part of Meta’s larger strategy to expand its lineup of smart glasses and integrate AI into the product more deeply. With that, competitors like Google (which are now developing its first smart glasses since Google Glass) are pushing them to push smart glasses to the category.
It is said to also integrate the same “sensing” recognition capabilities into AI-powered headphones, which are said to include embedded cameras and sensors.
A META representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ideal testing ground
Eric Abbruzzese, research director at market intelligence firm ABI, said the work will represent a natural development, and Meta has completed the glass using AI to build a ray basket.
“These devices boil down to streamlined packaging, providing AI capabilities at the lowest cost of glass, because the display remains one of the most important challenges for glasses from a cost and design perspective,” he said.
He added: “While Meta has plans to enable monitor glasses in the future, the NO-Display device is purely a unique product category that is purely targeted at AI interactions and is an ideal test ground for the AI platform itself, and how it interacts or how it can be used on smart glasses devices.”
