TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – East Texas veterans are getting their independence back with Meta AI glasses.
The Blinded Veterans Association, East Texas Lighthouse for the Blind and Camp V collaborated with Meta AI to give free glasses to 60 East Texas blind and visually impaired veterans.
“And it’s absolutely amazing what they will do, and I don’t think I’ve even discovered probably half of what they can do,” Pete Guy said.
Pete served in Berlin for four years and drove more than five hours to receive his glasses in Tyler Wednesday morning. He said he can’t wait to start reading again.
How the technology works
The technology assists the user with phone calls, listening to music, camera functions and describes what is in front of them.
“Hey Meta, what am I seeing?” Don Humphries asked the glasses. “She described everything, what you’re wearing, the guy behind you with the cap on and what’s on the floor. It’s just stuff that I wouldn’t even know was here.”
A Meta AI chatbot comes with each pair. It uses cameras facing forward with microphones and speakers over the nose and ears to allow the user to interact with the world around them hands-free. The glasses can be managed through the Meta AI app with the visual interpretation voiceover function.
Meta Innovation Policy Manager John Bockstanz, who is a veteran himself, said this is bigger than just a donation.
“It’s important to us to show up in person to get veterans the support that they need, and not just give them a device in a box,” Bockstanz said.
Guy said he recommends the glasses to his fellow veterans.
“I wish more people knew about these glasses, and had some idea of what all they can do,” he said.
Meta AI glasses cost up to about $500. The company will give glasses to 130,000 blind and visually impaired veterans across the country.
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