Facebook's chief scientist, Michael Abrash, has predicted that lightweight augmented reality (AR) glasses will replace smartphones as the primary computing device by 2022. Speaking at Facebook's annual developer conference in San Jose, Abrash said the glasses would enhance vision and hearing, improve memory, and provide constant virtual information.
The glasses, developed by Facebook-owned Oculus Research, would allow users to perform tasks such as checking the temperature of an object by looking at it, muting background noise, and translating foreign languages in real time. Abrash described them as 'light, comfortable, stylish, power efficient and socially acceptable enough to accompany you everywhere you go'.
However, Abrash acknowledged that while the glasses could be widely available by 2022, it might take another decade or two for the technology to reach its full potential with advanced optics and displays. He compared the timeline to the decades-long evolution of human-oriented computing.
The prediction comes after Google Glass, an earlier attempt at computerised eyewear, failed to gain public acceptance and was discontinued in 2015 due to privacy concerns and social stigma. Abrash remains optimistic, stating that within 20 to 30 years, stylish glasses offering both virtual and augmented reality will be the norm.
