In a month that has seen the tech world buzzing with excitement over the most recent release from a certain Cupertino giant, another player has ventured onto the stage with a vision that guarantees to challenge the status quo. Singapore-based startup Brilliant Labs has just revealed its groundbreaking augmented reality gadget, Frame, alongside its innovative AI right hand, Noa. And with the backing of none other than John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, the company behind the wildly prevalent Pokémon GO, Brilliant Labs is poised to create waves within the ever-evolving scene of AR technology.
Photo from: Pixabay
What are the Augmented Reality Frame Glasses?
Frame isn't just another pair of AR glasses; it represents a departure from the routine form factor embraced by industry pioneers like Apple. Where others have focused on sleekness and minimalism, Brilliant Labs has challenged itself to be different. The lightweight design of Frame sets it apart, offering clients a comfortable and inconspicuous way to experience the wonders of augmented reality
Frame is designed to fit most individuals. The gadget weighs just less than 40g and, at estimated normal use, can accomplish all-day battery life in conjunction with Mister Power (included). A bright microOLED is reinforced to a thin geometric prism optic to display a ~20 degree diagonal field of view. Frame is completely open source, design files and code are on Github.But it's not just about looks—Frame packs a punch with its effective AI right hand, Noa, which guarantees to improve the client experience in ways never before envisioned.
Technologies supporting the Frame
At the heart of Noa's capabilities are several AI models seamlessly integrated to supply a consistent and comprehensive experience for users. Among these are Perplexity AI, a conversational search engine; Stability AI's text-to-image model, Stable Diffusion; OpenAI's latest text-generation model, GPT4; and the speech recognition framework, Whisper. Together, these models enable Noa to understand and respond to user inquiries with unparalleled precision and proficiency.
One of the standout features of Frame is its high-resolution lenses, bragging a resolution of 640 x 400, which allows for crisp and clear display of recordings and photos. This, combined with Noa's advanced AI capabilities, opens up a world of possibilities for users.
Brilliant Labs plans'
Frame came after Brilliant Labs' debut product, Monocle, a single-lens AR gadget that attracted a loyal following in the open source hardware community thanks to its programmability and affordability. A bunch of Stanford understudies once turned the gadget into a dating partner that made real-time suggestions on what to say to one's date.
Frame will proceed to be open source like its predecessor, meaning developers will gain access to resources including living documentation, open source codebase and hardware schematics. They will too be able to alter the parameters of Noa's supported AI models.
Unlike the bulky Vision Pro, Frame is meant to be worn every day and comes with prescription lenses. Weighing 39 grams and featuring thick circular frames made of nylon plastic, the glasses are, as the company puts it, an “homage to the groundbreaking advancements and concepts introduced by figures of history including John Lennon, Steve Jobs and Gandhi.”
Frame will be available for preorder starting 8/02/2024 and will retail at $349, the same as Monocle's price tag. The gadgets will start shipping in April.
Since its inception in 2019, Brilliant Labs has managed to draw in a lineup of striking angel investors. Back in June, we reported its $3 million investment from Brendan Iribe, co-founder of Oculus; Adam Cheyer, co-founder of Siri; Eric Migicovsky, founder of Pebble and former partner at Y Combinator; and others. The new capital injection from Hanke brings the firm's total financing to $6 million.
Photo from: Unsplash
Investors and the future of the Augmented Reality Frame Glasses
With the announcement of Frame, Brilliant Labs has captured the creative ability of both tech enthusiasts and investors alike. John Hanke's decision to throw his weight behind the project speaks volumes about the potential he sees in this driven startup. Whereas the precise amount of funding remains undisclosed, the mere reality that Hanke has chosen to invest speaks volumes about the promise he sees in Brilliant Labs and its innovative approach to AR technology,a testament to the confidence and support of its investors in Brilliant Labs' vision for the long run of augmented reality.
The integration of these AI models represents a critical step forward in human-AI interaction, paving the way for imaginative wearables and new gadgets that obscure the lines between the virtual and physical universes. Aravind Srinivas, CEO and founder of Perplexity, expressed his excitement about bringing Perplexity's real-time answer engine to Brilliant Labs' Frame, highlighting the potential for transformative experiences empowered by AI-powered wearables.
However, one question remains, Will Frame be responsive enough for its AI-generated responses to be truly helpful? As of now, Brilliant Labs' Bluetooth-enabled gadgets depend on a smartphone to access the different AI models. Whereas this ensures a consistent user experience, the founders have ambitious plans to eventually insert lightweight machine-learning models directly into the glasses, disposing of the need for a smartphone host altogether.
How the world should view it.
Revolutionizing Human-AI Interaction
With Noa, the AI assistant fueling Frame, users can experience a new level of interaction with artificial intelligence. Noa's progressed capabilities, including visual processing and real-time translation, open up a world of possibilities for clients, from consistent navigation to personalized assistance in everyday errands. This represents a significant step forward in human-AI collaboration, blurring the lines between the digital and physical worlds.
Photo from: Pixabay
Empowering Developers
By embracing an open-source ethos, Brilliant Labs is enabling developers to unleash their inventiveness and investigate the full potential of Frame. With access to resources like living documentation and open-source code, developers have the opportunity to push the boundaries of what's possible with AR technology, creating innovative applications that upgrade the client experience and drive industry advancement.
Redefined Wearable Innovation
Frame's smooth design and everyday usability mark a departure from the bulky and lumbering AR devices of the past. With prescription lenses and a lightweight build, Frame seamlessly integrates into users' lives, offering both style and functionality. This signals a move in the worldview of wearable technology, where gadgets are no longer seen as mere contraptions but as basic devices for improving daily life.
Accessible Innovation
At a price point of $349, Frame is not only cutting-edge innovation but also accessible to a wide array of users. This democratization of AR technology brings the promise of augmented reality to a broader audience, paving the way for new applications and experiences that improve our lives in ways we've yet to imagine.
Strategic Partnerships
Brilliant Labs' union with industry visionary John Hanke and Niantic represents a vital move that may further quicken the adoption of Frame and shape the future of AR technology. With Hanke's mastery and Niantic's expansive AR platform, the possibilities for integration and collaboration are unending, opening up new avenues for exploration and development.
As we reflect on the implications of Brilliant Labs' Frame AR glasses, it gets to be clear that we're on the brink of a new period in technology, one where the boundaries between the physical and digital universes are obscured, and human-AI interaction takes center stage. With Frame, Brilliant Labs has not only presented a groundbreaking device but also sparked a discussion about the future of augmented reality and wearable technology.
By embracing openness, accessibility and innovation, Brilliant Labs is empowering developers and users alike to explore the complete potential of AR innovation. With Noa's advanced AI capabilities and Frame's sleek design, the possibilities for creativity and collaboration are perpetual.
Perhaps most imperatively, Frame represents a vision of a future where innovation improves our lives in significant ways, enhancing our experiences and connecting us with the world around us like never before. As we look ahead to the future of augmented reality, one thing is certain: with Frame paving the way, the possibilities are limitless.
