Meta, previously known as Facebook, is on the verge of unveiling its inaugural commercial augmented reality (AR) glasses, codenamed Artemis.
In a rather unconventional move, the company has decided to adopt older display technology for these glasses, shifting from the originally intended high-end MicroLED displays to Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS), a technology that first saw the light of day in 1990s movie projectors.
Concerns concerning the luminescence of the images shown by the augmented reality glasses are raised by the decision to employ LCoS rather than MicroLED screens. Adequate brightness is critical for AR products to ensure seamless graphic display in real-world scenarios, even in well-lit environments. LCoS technology is known for its relatively lower brightness levels, which may potentially affect the overall user experience.
Furthermore, Meta’s Artemis AR glasses will incorporate a glass waveguide component, enabling the passage of light through the glasses and into the user’s eyes. However, this particular component comes with a caveat—it limits the field of view to a mere 50 degrees. This narrower field of view may make it challenging for Meta’s consumer-focused AR glasses to stand out amidst the competition. Notably, other devices like Microsoft’s HoloLens and Magic Leap One also offer a 50-degree field of view.
The maker’s prototype and internal demo variants of Meta’s augmented reality glasses will keep the more expensive MicroLED screens and lenses with silicon carbide, which provide a broader field of vision, while the end-user version will have these diminished parts.
Meta is modifying the glasses’ other components in addition to their screen. There will cease to be a lidar sensor in the device’s oval-shaped wireless puck, which also serves as a battery, touchpad, and 5G modem. The omission of the lidar sensor means that the device won’t be able to detect its surroundings and import 3D objects into the digital world.
In addition, Meta is reportedly reevaluating its plans for the Quest Pro headset, which has garnered mixed reviews. The company intends to halt production of the headsets once the current parts inventory is depleted, instead focusing on its more affordable line of Quest headsets, including the upcoming Quest 3.
Amidst the escalating costs associated with Meta’s venture into the metaverse, the decision to employ older technology and scale back on certain features may have been influenced by cost considerations. It’s still unclear, nevertheless, how customers are going to react to the new upgrades and if Meta’s augmented reality glasses will successfully compete in the retail space.
