Showcased earlier this year at CES 2025, Halliday’s smart glasses are making waves through a successful crowdfunding campaign on both Kickstarter and INDIEGOGO. Billed by the company as the first “proactive AI glasses,” this new entry into the smart wearables market aims to offer seamless AI assistance integrated into a stylish, lightweight (35g) frame compatible with standard prescription lenses.

Halliday’s glasses feature a DigiWindow display that is only visible to the wearer 

Proactive AI and Feature Set Promises
Halliday claims its key differentiator is a “proactive” AI agent designed to analyze conversations and context to offer assistance without direct user prompts. Information is relayed through the DigiWindow, a small module projecting a private, monochrome green display. This adjustable Micro LED module reportedly accommodates prescriptions from -8.0 to +2.0 for optimal viewing. Notably, the frames are designed to work with standard prescription lenses that can be easily fitted by opticians, enhancing their practicality for everyday wear. Other promised features include real-time translation, a cheat sheet function, navigation, and notification handling. The battery is stated to last up to 12 hours of normal use, though real-world performance is yet to be verified.

The Micro LED module projects a monochrome green image, equivalent to viewing a 3.5" screen, into the wearer’s field of view

No camera, ring-controlled, limited hardware information
Halliday deliberately omitted an outward-facing camera, citing user privacy and battery life concerns. Interaction relies on touch panels on the frames, voice commands, and notably, a bundled controller ring designed for discreet input. Despite the lack of a camera, the device uses built-in microphones to capture audio for features like real-time translation and meeting summarization. While pitched as a productivity tool, this constant audio analysis could raise privacy concerns regarding the consent of others and data security. Furthermore, detailed hardware information beyond the display specifics, such as the processor, remains scarce. The DigiWindow display module itself is sourced from AI wearable tech company Gyges Labs. The glasses require pairing with a smartphone via a companion app (available for iOS and Android) to function fully, adding a layer of device dependency.

Crowdfunding Success and Market Entry
Despite potential concerns, the Halliday AI Glasses proved popular on Kickstarter, raising over $3.3 million. Early backers purchased the glasses, controller ring, and accessories for $399, compared to the planned $489 MSRP. With shipments expected later this year, the market will soon see if Halliday’s promises translate into a practical and accepted piece of wearable technology, balancing utility with user privacy expectations.

 (Photo credit: Halliday)

TrendForce 2024 Near-Eye Display Market Trend and Technology Analysis
Release Date:2024 / 07 / 31
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