Update, April 2025: As of 10 April 2025, Meta’s “Look and Tell” feature is available on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. This powerful multimodal AI update allows users to ask questions about their surroundings and receive real-time spoken responses, whether it's identifying objects, reading text, or describing visual elements. Previously unavailable in the UK due to legislative requirements, this feature marks a significant step forward in accessibility and independence for users. More accessibility enhancements are on the horizon, so stay tuned to this blog for the latest updates as they roll out.
Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have been invigorated with new updates this year! Read on to learn what they are and how you can make the most of their new features.
In October of 2023, Meta (the company behind Facebook and Instagram), teamed up with iconic glasses designer, Ray-Ban, to produce the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
Smart glasses are increasing in popularity, with tech-giants such as Google and Amazon producing their own smart-glasses variants.
Watch our video case study on the Ray-Ban Meta glasses.
For people living with visual impairment, these glasses have a range of features which can help with navigation, locating objects and day-to-day tasks.
The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have the traditional look of a pair of Ray-Ban glasses, including a stylish modern frame and lightweight feel, while offering cutting-edge technological features, including a built-in camera, speakers, and, in the latest 2024 edition, on-the-go AI assistance.
The glasses are worn just as normal glasses are but must be paired with an up-to-date mobile device with a wireless internet connection in order to work. Although the glasses are mostly voice-activated, they also have small buttons on the sides that can be used for different functions.
The small built-in speakers allow for on-the-go navigation while enabling enough background noise to be aware of your surroundings. John, a guide dog owner, has found the smart glasses useful while out and about:
‘I have used them to identify things when going out, for example, look and tell me what street I am on – it looks for street signs, pelican crossings, etc. I have also taken them to lots of outdoor settings and used them to describe what I am encountering. I use them to read menus, signs, and post.’
Excitingly, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have now been updated to offer a ‘Be My Eyes’ function, partnering with the app of the same name, which enables users to call a sighted volunteer who can provide further information, directions and instructions.
The 2024 updates also now enable users to send messages on apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger using voice dictation.
As with any assistive tech, we’d always recommend having an additional mobility aid with you, such as a long cane, to add an extra means of receiving feedback from your environment.
Used in conjunction with Meta’s AI assistant, the glasses can also receive and answer questions, identify objects and describe your surroundings, and even recognise people’s faces. These features can be useful both out and about, and in the home. Dennis, a long cane user, uses his Ray-Ban Meta glasses with tasks around the home:
‘It can help me with my cooking. I can look at a product, and it can tell me what the product is... I can look over a pan, it can tell me if my steak is well done or rare, all hands free, and in a lot of situations where I'm using computer screens, it can read the display and tell me without having to hold a phone, which can obscure things.’
A key consideration is their price; currently, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses retail from £299 up to £379 on Meta’s website, depending on your frame colour and lens choices. There’s also the option to add your own prescription lenses when you take the glasses to your preferred optician. You’ll also need an up-to-date smartphone device, and a Meta account to use the glasses.
Whilst Guide Dogs may suggest various third-party websites and third-party applications which may be able to assist you, those are not endorsed by Guide Dogs. Guide Dogs have no control over those third parties and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information and support they can provide or the suitability and quality of any products or services they provide.
