Meta plans AI pendant, 'wearables for work' in hardware boost: report

Reuters: Meta Platforms plans to start testing an AI ​pendant in the next year, as it ‌charts a roadmap for wearable devices in an effort to reverse losses in its hardware division, The ​Information reported on Friday, citing a memo.

Meta ​declined to comment to Reuters on the ⁠report.

The Facebook and Instagram owner plans to ​significantly expand its selection of AI glasses and ​add a business-focused service called “Wearables for Work”, the report said, citing an internal memo by Alex Himel, Meta’s vice ​president of wearables.

The report comes after Meta’s ​hardware unit Reality Labs reported a loss of $4.03 billion ‌in ⁠the first quarter on revenue of just $402 million.

Meta aims to sell 10 million wearable devices in the second half of 2026, driving sales by ​launching new ​products and ⁠selling them in more countries, The Information said.

It currently has partnerships ​with EssilorLuxottica brands Ray-Ban and Oakley to ​make ⁠AI-powered smart glasses.

Last year, Meta acquired AI-wearables startup Limitless, maker of a pendant-style device that records and ⁠transcribes ​real-world conversations, to accelerate efforts ​towards developing next-generation AI-enabled wearables.