New Delhi,UPDATED: May 14, 2024 18:00 IST
Meta wants to revolutionise the wearable market with its AI-powered earphones equipped with cameras and it is not surprising. Several tech companies are trying to integrate AI into their devices to offer users a better experience.
The news of AI earphones comes almost 7 months after the company took the wraps off its latest camera-enabled Ray-Ban smart glasses with AI support. It has received good reviews and for the right reasons. It lets users check information on items they are looking at, and clear queries using AI. As the company has received good feedback for the glasses, it might now be confident about AI-based earphones which also have a camera.
Internally codenamed “Camerabuds,” these earphones are said to come with AI capabilities for real-time object identification and foreign language translation. Sources of The Information claim that Meta views AI-powered earphones as the next frontier in wearable technology. To explore the potential of this tech, Meta has collaborated with Ear Micro, a Kansas-based electronics company specialising in “smart” earphones. It would be interesting to see earphones having a camera and how it will work.
The Camerabuds project, however, faces significant technical challenges. One major issue is ensuring that the cameras are not obstructed by long hair, while another is managing the risk of overheating — a common concern with compact, high-tech devices. Moreover, the introduction of cameras in wearable devices raises privacy concerns reminiscent of the controversy that surrounded Google Glass. Meta will need to address these issues comprehensively to gain consumer trust and regulatory approval.
Despite these hurdles, the AI-powered earphones could also be very useful for select people. Such devices could transform the way differently-abled individuals interact with their environment, offering features like real-time translation and contextual information about objects and locations. This innovation could make everyday experiences more accessible and better for users.
At the moment, it is unknown whether Camerabuds will ultimately reach the market or not. We will have to wait for months for more details to leak or Meta to confirm it.
Published By:
Ankita Garg
Published On:
May 14, 2024