Meta to offer free glasses for the vision-impaired

Meta to offer 15,000 free glasses to Vision Ireland to help users read text and identify objects

Chris White, group chief executive at Vision Ireland (left) and Anne O’Leary, head of Meta Ireland (right) at the launch in the Wayfinding Centre in Glasnevin of Meta's donation of 15,000 free Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to Vision Ireland. Pic: Naoise Culhane

Meta said it will donate 15,000 of its Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to Vision Ireland to help people who are blind or have low vision.

The tech giant said their glasses, which include a camera and built-in AI technology, can help users with sight issues by helping them to read text, identify objects and access information around them, in addition to allowing them to listen to music, carry out live translation and make hands-free calls.

Vision Ireland, the country's sight loss charity, jointly hosted an AI glasses demo day at Meta's Ireland headquarters in Dublin earlier this year. 

Team members from Vision Ireland and advocates from across the blind and low vision community were given hands-on tutorials with Meta’s AI glasses and took part in a roundtable discussion sharing their feedback on their experience with the glasses.

Ireland is the home of Meta’s international headquarters and one of Meta’s largest hubs outside the US. In Cork, Meta operates its Reality Labs facility in association with the Tyndall Institute, which has played a crucial role in the development of display solutions for Meta's AI and AR wearables.

Glasses, earpieces and other personal devices are seen as huge growth areas for tech companies. Meta's glasses, with their ability to record and live stream video, have proved controversial over possible invasions of privacy but are recognised as having significant potential to assist those with visual impairments.

Meta said Vision Ireland will manage a phased roll-out process for the distribution of the glasses from application, assessment, eligibility and selection through to in-person training and support. 

Each pair of glasses will include access to training designed to help people use them effectively and cover how their glasses can identify objects, read text, and manage everyday tasks using only their voice.

Anne O’Leary, vice president and head of Meta Ireland, said: "We've already seen how these glasses can transform the daily lives of those with sight loss, and this partnership means that this game-changing technology will continue to have a far-reaching impact for those who are blind or visually impaired."

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Chris White, chief executive officer of Vision Ireland said: “This transformative gift of 15,000 Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to the blind and vision-impaired community will give thousands of people greater independence, confidence and choice in their everyday lives. 

"As Ireland’s national sight loss charity, Vision Ireland is immensely proud to lead the national rollout and help ensure this innovative technology delivers meaningful and lasting impact.”

Eligible people who are blind or low vision can register their interest online via meta.vi.ie or via the dedicated phone number [phone].

The training will include Vision Ireland-hosted events across the country where people can receive their glasses, get hands-on guidance and connect with other participants in the programme. A Vision Ireland helpdesk will also be available to support recipients with follow-up questions.