Meta's new VR glasses ditch controllers for hand and eye tracking
Meta unveiled $1,299 VR Glasses, a lightweight mixed reality device that relies on hand and eye tracking instead of controllers. The glasses weigh under 100 grams and connect to a separate computing puck. They offer a new form factor but come with some limitations.
The device's four cameras support both hand tracking and passthrough video, while pancake lenses incorporate integrated eye tracking. Prescription lens inserts are available for users who need vision correction. The system can optionally pair with Touch Plus controllers, though the demo emphasized controller-free interaction using thumb-and-index finger taps for selection and swiping motions for scrolling.
The tethered computing puck, which handles processing and memory, weighs roughly 300 grams and generated noticeable heat during the demo. The glasses themselves stayed secure during movement, and gesture recognition worked even with hands resting in the user's lap, though one scroll gesture failed to register during testing, attributed to prototype hardware.
This device could shift how casual users approach virtual reality by removing the intimidation of controllers and bulky headsets. The lightweight form factor may appeal to professionals seeking portable productivity tools, while the $1,299 price point could limit mainstream adoption initially. Hand and eye tracking may lower the learning curve for newcomers, but the tethered puck and reduced immersion could frustrate existing VR enthusiasts expecting a Quest successor.