Facebook’s Ambition in the AR/VR Field
We are in an era where technology is ever changing, adapting, and evolving. Advancements are always occurring, but today we aren’t here to talk about any kind of tech. We are focusing on augmented reality (AR).
Over the past several years, there have been advancements in relation to virtual reality (VR) – and now it’s time for augmented reality to follow and grow just as much, if not more. To help bridge this gap, multiple companies, such as Google, Apple, Bose, and Microsoft are currently working to create AR glasses. Of course, Facebook couldn’t stay out of the game, and that is exactly what we’re here to dissect – Facebook and its AR glasses.
For the past few years, Facebook has been focusing on and investing in developing new tools for AR and VR. They currently operate five AR/VR research facilities. One of them being Oculus, which they bought in 2014 for $2 billion. With the purchase of Oculus, Facebook encouraged their users (AKA Oculus users) to connect to their Facebook profiles, to ultimately blend the Oculus VR with the Facebook platform's features.
According to Synced, “In recent years, technological development and the strong focus of major tech players like Facebook on AR and VR systems have been key in the development of the AR and VR market. The rapid growth in the adoption of tablet computers and smartphones has brought AR and VR technologies to education, gaming, e-commerce, architecture, furnishing, and other industries in a bustling global AR and VR marketplace.”
So what should we be expecting from Facebook in terms of their AR glasses?
As of now, there isn’t a timeline for when Facebook AR products will hit the market. The company is currently working on Project Aria, which is researching how AR can work in the real world, by developing a research device that will be worn like regular glasses that are sensor-filled and computer-packed, to help researchers at Facebook Reality Labs.
This project is currently partnered with Carnegie Mellon University’s Cognitive Assistance Laboratory, with the intent to build 3D maps of museums and airports to help people with visual impairments.
We also know that Facebook has partnered with luxury brand, Luxottica (the maker of Ray-Ban), to release their AR glasses.
DID YOU KNOW?
Facebook has spent over $4 billion on AR/VR companies and research facilities.
Do you think Facebook will succeed in creating their AR glasses? Let us know in the comments below.