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Meta plans Connect debut for Hypernova AR glasses and a neural wristband
Meta is preparing to unveil Hypernova, a new pair of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses with a built-in display, alongside a companion sEMG wristband at its Connect event next month. According to a company blog and reporting from Bloomberg, the wristband uses surface electromyography to read subtle muscle signals at the wrist and convert them into device commands via advanced machine learning models.
Product features
The Hypernova glasses are described as a display-equipped AR headset intended to expand Meta's wearable lineup beyond voice-first experiences. The accompanying sEMG wristband translates neural and muscular signals into interactions, removing reliance on bulky or traditional inputs. Meta notes that earlier prototypes paired the wristband with Orion, its first true AR glasses, and that the new device will extend those capabilities.
Machine learning, data and developer outreach
Meta has emphasized machine learning as the mechanism that makes the wristband usable for a wide range of people. The company expects the additional sensor data collected by Hypernova and the wristband to improve signal recognition and personalization in future smart glasses. Sources say Meta has started recruiting third-party developers, especially in generative AI, to build experimental apps that showcase the hardware's potential.
Comparisons and advantages
Compared with Meta's prior voice-only smart glasses, Hypernova adds a visual display and richer input options via the sEMG band. Meta will also introduce a third-generation voice-only smart glasses product developed with Luxottica at Connect, a device referenced in a CBP letter as the "Next Generation Smart Glasses" and reported to include capacitive touch components for gesture controls. Together, these devices suggest Meta is pursuing both hands-free and touch/gesture-driven interaction models.
Use cases and market relevance
Potential use cases include hands-free navigation, AR productivity overlays, immersive communications, and generative-AI-powered content creation. By courting app developers and showcasing new interaction methods, Meta aims to accelerate ecosystem growth and position Hypernova as a competitive AR platform amid rising interest in wearable computing and human-computer interfaces.
What to expect at Connect
At Connect, expect formal product demos, developer programs, and early access initiatives. The rollout highlights Meta's strategy to combine machine learning, sensor fusion, and developer-led experiences to push smart glasses into mainstream use.
Source: cnbc
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