Meta’s Reality Labs is aggressively pursuing wearable AI technology across multiple form factors, according to Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth. In a recent interview with Command Line, a tech newsletter, Bosworth revealed that the company has explored virtually every conceivable body location for AI-enabled wearables. “If there’s a part of your body that could potentially host a wearable that could do AI, there’s a good chance we’ve had a team run that down,” he stated.
Bosworth oversees Reality Labs, Meta’s division responsible for developing virtual reality and augmented reality hardware and software. The division recently unveiled Orion, its latest augmented reality glasses that deliver AR experiences in a near-normal-sized frame. Bosworth previously described Orion as “the most advanced piece of technology on the planet in its domain,” highlighting Meta’s ambitions in the wearable AI space.
Despite its innovative output, Reality Labs has faced financial scrutiny for significant losses and has implemented substantial cost-cutting measures. Hardware teams have been directed to reduce spending by nearly 20% from 2024 through 2026, and the division has conducted layoffs primarily targeting middle and senior management positions. However, these financial constraints haven’t deterred the company from exploring new product concepts.
Behind the scenes, Reality Labs maintains an extensive portfolio of experimental projects, ranging from camera-equipped earbuds to mixed reality goggles. “If there’s a concept that you could imagine, we either have had or do have somebody building a thing around it,” Bosworth explained. The development process follows a structured approach: a pre-discovery team prototypes new ideas, which undergo review for further exploration. Successful prototypes enter the product roadmap, with approximately half making it through final testing to public release.
Currently, camera earbuds are in early development stages, while “steampunk” mixed reality goggles have progressed further in the product release pipeline. Bosworth emphasized the strategic importance of comprehensive exploration: “We definitely don’t want to be outflanked by someone who came up with some clever, integrated wearable that we hadn’t thought about.” This statement underscores Meta’s determination to maintain competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving wearable AI market.
Key Quotes
If there’s a part of your body that could potentially host a wearable that could do AI, there’s a good chance we’ve had a team run that down.
Andrew Bosworth, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, revealed the company’s comprehensive approach to exploring wearable AI across all possible body locations, demonstrating Meta’s determination to leave no stone unturned in the wearable technology space.
If there’s a concept that you could imagine, we either have had or do have somebody building a thing around it.
Bosworth emphasized the breadth of Reality Labs’ experimental portfolio, indicating that Meta is actively prototyping virtually every conceivable wearable AI concept to maintain competitive advantage.
We definitely don’t want to be outflanked by someone who came up with some clever, integrated wearable that we hadn’t thought about.
This statement reveals Meta’s defensive strategy in the wearable AI market, showing that the company’s extensive exploration is driven by fear of missing the next breakthrough form factor that could disrupt the industry.
Our Take
Meta’s shotgun approach to wearable AI development reveals both ambition and anxiety in equal measure. While the company’s willingness to prototype every conceivable form factor demonstrates impressive commitment to innovation, it also suggests uncertainty about which wearable format will ultimately resonate with consumers. The tension between Reality Labs’ massive spending cuts and continued experimental development highlights a critical challenge: how to maintain innovation velocity while achieving financial sustainability. The real test will be Meta’s ability to identify winning concepts from its vast portfolio before competitors with more focused strategies capture market share. As Apple, Google, and startups pursue their own wearable AI visions, Meta’s comprehensive exploration strategy could either position it as the category leader or spread resources too thin across too many experimental products. The success of Orion and upcoming devices will determine whether this broad approach pays dividends.
Why This Matters
This development signals Meta’s comprehensive strategy to dominate the wearable AI market before competitors can establish footholds in emerging form factors. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday devices, the race to control how users interact with artificial intelligence through wearables represents a critical battleground for tech giants. Meta’s willingness to explore every conceivable wearable format—despite Reality Labs’ financial losses—demonstrates the company’s long-term commitment to positioning itself as the leader in ambient computing and AI accessibility.
The implications extend beyond Meta’s corporate strategy to shape how society will interact with AI in the coming years. Wearable AI devices promise to make artificial intelligence more seamless and ubiquitous, potentially transforming how people work, communicate, and access information. Meta’s systematic product development process, which filters numerous concepts down to viable products, could accelerate innovation cycles across the industry. As other tech companies observe Meta’s aggressive exploration of wearable AI, we’re likely to see increased competition and faster development of AI-integrated devices that blur the line between digital and physical experiences.
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