Aside from the augmented reality images, an AI voice assistant is the primary controller for the glasses.
Smartphone behemoth Oppo unveiled a new product that is still in the prototype stage at the present Mobile World Congress 2024 (MWC 2024) in Barcelona, Spain. The Air Glass 3 is an augmented reality eyewear that seeks to include artificial intelligence (AI) into Oppo’s product portfolio and provide access to the augmented reality space. After Apple eventually introduced its Vision Pro headset for the US market earlier this year, Oppo appears to be placing its bet on augmented reality and artificial intelligence with this move.
The Oppo Air Glass 3 isn’t a wholly original idea. Back in 2021, at its INNO Day conference in Shenzhen, the behemoth of Chinese smartphones unveiled a concept that was similar in name: the Air Glass. It included a micro-projector and a distinctive cicada wing shape. At MWC 2023, the business also unveiled the Air Glass 2. Concepts appeared to have developed over the previous few years into what is on display at MWC 2024.
Although the Air Glass 3 eyewear appears to be a typical pair of spectacles, it features an integrated display that allows users to see digital material superimposed on real-world environments. The augmented reality feature can be utilized to view calls or messages that have been received as well as for navigation.
The wearable can be used to interact by touch or voice. Oppo says it has successfully powered its voice assistant and the required generative AI features with its own in-house large language model (LLM) called AndesGPT. Although it can now only be found in China, the voice assistant can help wearers by conducting simple information searches and having appropriate discussions.
Another way to interact with the Oppo Air Glass 3 wearable is via touch. According to Oppo, users will be able to touch the frame stalks on the sides to interact and navigate with onscreen content which is visible on the full-colour display. The eyewear weighs 50 grams and the display has a peak brightness of more than 1,000 nits. On the frame are four microphones to assist with voice functions and speakers for audio output as well.
Recently, Meta and Ray-Ban collaborated to introduce a line of smart sunglasses. Although they look a lot like the ones Oppo announced, their primary function is to broadcast content that the user is looking at with the glasses via ‘Hey Meta’ instructions. They do this by employing a camera and artificial intelligence (AI) to collect images or videos. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses are controlled only by voice commands and instructions; they do not have a display like the Oppo smart glasses.