Google on Tuesday unveiled smart glasses powered by its Gemini artificial intelligence software, stepping up competition with Meta in the emerging market for AI-enabled wearable devices.
The Alphabet-owned company said at its annual Google I/O developer conference that two models featuring cameras and speakers would go on sale later this year. The glasses were developed in partnership with Samsung Electronics and eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.
The built-in camera provides information to Google's Gemini AI assistant, allowing users to ask questions about what they are seeing. Gemini can, for example, retrieve reviews for a nearby restaurant, explain unusual cloud formations, read out messages or provide navigation instructions, according to Google.
The move pits Google more directly against Meta Platforms, which has spent several years trying to establish smart glasses as a mainstream product category. Meta's devices are sold under the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands through a partnership with eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica.
EssilorLuxottica has said more than 7 million Meta smart glasses were sold last year.
Google could have an advantage in the market through Gemini's access to the company's search engine data and broader ecosystem of services including maps, email and other applications.
A year ago, Google showed prototypes of AI glasses equipped with a small display capable of projecting visual information such as translations and navigation directions. The company did not provide a launch date for such display-equipped models at this year's conference.
Media reports said Apple has been working on developing smart glasses for years and may initially release models without displays.
