Meta Plans AI Glasses for 130,000 Veterans

Meta and the Blinded Veterans Association are providing free Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to as many as 130,000 blind or visually impaired veterans, with about 50 receiving the devices at a Veterans Day event in Rosemont. The glasses offer hands-free tools such as reading text, identifying surroundings, making calls, sending emails and using GPS, and Meta representatives trained recipients to use them. Association leader and Army veteran Anthony Woodson said the glasses can make navigation easier than juggling a phone and a cane, and may help veterans feel more confident getting out and doing everyday activities. Although camera-equipped smart glasses have prompted privacy concerns, the initiative’s emphasis is on using the technology to support independence. Meta is also sponsoring an Honor Flight from El Paso to Washington, and some veterans may use the glasses while visiting memorials.