Oakley Meta AI glasses are redefining eyewear with Vision AI

Wearable smart devices have been around for many years, and until recently, they focused mainly on straightforward tracking. They could measure basics like heart rate and step count, but they weren’t designed to provide deeper, real-time insights or guidance.

Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence (AI), that’s starting to change. Companies like Meta are bringing AI and computer vision, a branch of AI that helps machines interpret visual information, into wearables to make them more useful in everyday life.

For instance, Meta has collaborated with Oakley, a sports and lifestyle eyewear brand, to bring AI into sporty, everyday eyewear. They recently introduced the Oakley Meta AI glasses, which build on the earlier Ray-Ban Meta lineup but are designed with a more performance-focused fit. 

Along with a built-in camera, open-ear speakers, and microphones, the glasses include Meta AI for hands-free help. This lets users capture point-of-view (POV) content, ask questions on the go, and get real-time guidance without reaching for a phone.

Meta showcased this hands-free experience in a video featuring a golfer using the glasses like a personal AI assistant while playing. The golfer can ask questions such as, “How strong is the wind today?” and get quick, spoken answers without breaking focus or reaching for a phone. It’s a small example, but it reflects the bigger idea behind the glasses: turning eyewear into a real-time assistant that fits naturally into everyday routines and active moments.

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In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Oakley Meta AI glasses and their AI capabilities. Let’s get started!

The evolution of Meta’s AI glasses

Before we dive into the features of Meta’s new AI glasses, let’s first walk through how this technology has evolved over time.

AI glasses are wearable smart eyewear that combine everyday eyeglass frames with built-in audio, cameras, and an AI assistant for hands-free interaction. They can capture high-resolution photos or video, respond to voice commands, and provide quick, real-time assistance without needing to hold a phone. 

Some AI glasses also use computer vision, which lets them understand what the wearer is looking at and provide helpful, context-aware information. Meta is one of several companies exploring this kind of technology.

Meta entered the smart-glasses space in 2023 with the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, made in partnership with EssilorLuxottica. These glasses combined a built-in camera, open-ear audio, and hands-free voice control through the Meta AI assistant. 

Then, in April 2024, Meta expanded what the glasses could do by rolling out Meta AI with Vision, which lets users ask questions about what they’re looking at. This update added multimodal, vision-based assistance on top of the original photo, video, and audio features.

Building on that momentum, Meta broadened its smart-glasses category even further at Meta Connect 2025. The company announced Oakley Meta models designed specifically for active and performance-focused use. While newer Meta Ray-Ban Display models introduce an on-lens display, the Oakley Meta lineup is audio-first.

For example, the Oakley Meta HSTN is made for everyday use, with a comfortable, sporty fit that works well through regular routines. Also, the Oakley Meta Vanguard is aimed at more intense activity, featuring a sturdier build that stays in place during sports and high-movement workouts. 

Both Meta products include open-ear speakers and hands-free voice controls, so you can listen to and manage audio easily while you train. In addition to this, prescription lenses are supported on Oakley Meta HSTN models, while Vanguard variants are sold with sport lenses.

How Oakley Meta AI glasses use computer vision 

One of the standout features of the Oakley Meta AI glasses is their use of computer vision through their built-in camera and Meta AI. In simple terms, the camera captures what you are looking at, and Meta AI can use that visual input to answer questions or trigger hands-free actions.

Like the Ray Ban Meta glasses, the Oakley Meta HSTN has a camera connected to Meta AI. This lets the glasses see parts of your surroundings and respond by voice. For example, users can ask questions about what is in front of them and get spoken answers without taking out a phone.

In India specifically, Meta has announced Unified Payments Interface integration for Oakley Meta HSTN. They are testing a voice-based "scan and pay” experience using UPI Lite. 

A user can look at a UPI Quick Response code and say something like “Hey Meta, scan and pay.” The glasses capture the code with the camera, and the payment is completed through the linked account in the Meta app. 

Other key capabilities of Oakley Meta AI glasses

Another interesting function of Oakley Meta AI glasses is how much they can do without you ever needing to touch a screen. Users can capture smooth hyperlapse videos, track performance during activities, and get navigation support completely hands-free. The glasses also include image stabilization, which keeps footage steady and easy to watch even when you are moving, making it especially useful for cycling, jogging, or running.

Voice control ties all of this together. Meta AI can recognize spoken commands and handle tasks like starting a recording. For example, saying “Hey Meta, take a video” starts recording right away, with stabilization turned on automatically so the clip stays smooth. It feels like a simple, natural way to capture moments as they happen.

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On top of this, Meta AI’s voice assistant can provide intelligent feedback on what it sees. If a user asks the glasses to describe what is in front of them, they capture an image, and Meta AI gives a spoken description of the scene.

Applications of Oakley Meta AI glasses

Now that we have a better understanding of the capabilities of Oakley Meta AI glasses, let’s explore a few more ways these features show up in real-world use cases:

• Audio guidance without losing awareness: Because the audio is open ear, users can hear navigation cues, training feedback, or music playback while still staying aware of surrounding sounds like traffic or teammates.
• Workout highlights with performance overlays: The Oakley Meta Vanguard can be used by athletes who want to record first-person workout footage and share it with their training data on top. After a run, ride, or workout, the glasses can sync with Strava, a popular fitness app that tracks activities like running and cycling, and then overlay stats such as distance, pace, time, or elevation onto the photos and videos before you post them.
• Garmin connected training support: Garmin is another well-known fitness brand, and its devices track workouts like runs, rides, and gym sessions. The Oakley Meta Vanguard can pair with compatible Garmin devices like smartwatches and cycling computers. When connected through the Garmin Connect IQ app in Meta AI, the glasses can read out live training stats such as heart rate, pace, distance, or speed while you work out. That way, athletes can stay focused on the activity instead of repeatedly checking a watch or bike computer.
• Hands-free answers during training: Athletes can use Meta AI as a quick, voice-based assistant while practicing. For example, someone training on the field can ask a simple question mid-session and get a spoken response without stopping or reaching for a phone, keeping the focus on the game.

Getting started with Oakley Meta AI glasses

You might be wondering whether setting up these glasses is complicated, given all their features. But it’s pretty straightforward. 

After unboxing, charge the glasses in the charging case, then pair them through the Meta AI app on your phone over Bluetooth. The app guides setup, installs updates, and syncs your photos and videos.

Controls are simple, too. You can use voice commands with ‘Hey Meta,’ press the action button for quick capture, and use the touchpad on the temple to tap or swipe through basic audio controls.

Pros and cons of Oakley Meta AI glasses

Here are some benefits of using the Oakley Meta AI glasses:

• Higher-resolution capture for action: The glasses record up to 3K video with a 12-megapixel camera and built-in stabilization, which makes them great for hands-free outdoor and sports recording.‍
• Improved battery life for longer sessions: Oakley Meta HSTN is designed to support longer battery life than earlier Meta glasses, and the charging case extends use through the day, which helps during long workouts or travel.‍
• Sport-first design: The frames are rated IPX4 and built for stability during high-motion activities and are rated water-resistant for sweat and rain, aligning with Oakley’s performance focus.

Despite these advantages, the glasses do have a few limitations. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

• Water-resistant, not waterproof: They handle sweat and light rain, but they aren’t made for swimming or full submersion.
• Editing is app-dependent: The glasses are built for quick capture, but more advanced steps like trimming clips, adjusting quality, adding overlays, or exporting content happen in the Meta app, not on the glasses themselves.
• Privacy considerations: Because the glasses include a camera, users should be mindful of when and where recording is appropriate and respectful. In certain public or private settings, wearing camera-enabled eyewear may make others uncomfortable, so it’s important to follow local privacy norms and obtain consent when needed.

Key takeaways

Oakley Meta AI glasses combine AI, voice control, and POV video to offer hands-free support for workouts, content creation, and everyday tasks. While they lack a built-in display and rely on the app for editing, their sport-ready design and intelligent features make them a practical step forward in wearable technology. As vision-enabled wearables continue to evolve, glasses like these hint at a future where smart assistance feels as natural as putting on your everyday eyewear.

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