Take part in our survey on AI smart glasses
There’s a lot of discussion among blind and partially sighted people – and the wider public and media – about the rise in AI smart glasses like Meta smart glasses.
Tell us what you think
Whether you've tried smart glasses or not, we’d like to hear from blind and partially sighted people on this topic.
How can AI smart glasses benefit blind and partially sighted people?
AI smart glasses have the potential to increase independence for blind and partially sighted people by providing hands-free access to information, text, object recognition, navigation and descriptions of their surroundings. They can already, in the case of Meta glasses, offer hands-free video connections to remote sighted assistants. That might involve connecting to sighted volunteers on the Be My Eyes app, or connecting the user to WhatsApp videocalls with friends and family.
This technology can help with common daily tasks like browsing restaurant menus, identifying items from a grocery shop, reading street signs and information displays, or simply describing scenery to enable the person to become more aware of their surroundings. The glasses’ open ear speakers also mean nothing enters the user’s ears and it’s easier to keep on track of what’s going on around you than it would be with traditional in-ear earphones.
However, the misuse of smart glasses has attracted media attention and public concern. Read RNIB’s position.
Feedback from blind and partially sighted people
We’ve had mixed feedback from blind and partially sighted people so far, suggesting AI glasses’ usefulness varies between individuals and the task in question. Some people are firm converts, while others are more cautious. At a basic level, their use is limited if you don’t have access to the internet, for instance, or if your internet connectivity is weak, making the AI processing speed sometimes slow.
In addition, we have heard that the camera quality on AI smart glasses can be poor and might not always detect upcoming obstacles, as well as the AI responses not always being correct.
For that reason, marketing claims about AI glasses need to be accurate and balanced. We’d like manufacturers, retailers and other organisations to clearly explain both the capabilities and limitations of the technology so people can make informed choices. For example, it’s important to explain some of the features advertised by manufacturers might not be available to users if they are in the UK.
How to buy smart glasses from RNIB
RNIB sells smart glasses, including Meta Ray-Bans, because we know they have the potential to increase independence for some blind and partially sighted people. You can also get support in how to set them up and get the best from them.
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