Injured veterans say Meta’s AI-powered glasses are a ‘gamechanger’

The Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses and newer Oakley Vanguard glasses might look like a standard pair of chunky specs.

But in reality, these cutting-edge wearables are a hands-free device that lets users seamlessly interact with AI controls.

They are proving to be a lifeline for people with disabilities who can now send messages and get directions by just using their voice. 

One of them is veteran Simon Harmer, a medical technician with the Coldstream Guards who was posted in Helmand Province in Afghanistan in 2009. 

While out on patrol, around 150 metres from the base, he activated an improvised explosive device that took off his right leg, irretrievably damaged his left, and badly injured his right arm.

He was urgently flown back to the UK for surgery, followed by five weeks of recovery in hospital and over four and a half years of gruelling rehabilitation.

But today, over 15 years later, Mr Harmer and several other veterans like him have found an unusual new tool to support their recovery – Meta’s AI glasses.

And Mr Harmer says that this futuristic device could be a ‘game changer’ for wounded veterans.

Mr Harmer told the Daily Mail: ‘Not having your phone out at the time and just being more aware of your surroundings, whether you’re able-bodied or not, I think that it’s going to improve life for a lot of people.’

Meta’s AI glasses look normal at first glance, but on a closer inspection, you’ll notice a small hidden camera tucked away in the frame.

This camera is coupled with built-in speakers and microphones so that users can control the AI using their voice alone.

For example, you might ask the glasses to direct you to the nearest bus stop and have the directions play into your ears.

Users can also record photos and videos with a simple voice command or a touch of the side button.

While these novel glasses weren’t necessarily designed with veterans in mind, Mr Harmer says that they are packed with tools that have improved his life post-injury.

‘What rehabilitation was really about was, pardon the pun, getting back on our feet and moving on with our lives,’ he said.

‘Things have changed, but I think all of us have attempted to revisit things that we had done before and make life similar to what we did in the past.

‘The difference is you have to plan a little bit further in advance. It’s a little bit like a game of chess, making sure that you know the end result and that you’ve mapped it out in your mind.’

Something as simple as being able to control your phone with voice commands, rather than having to fish it out of a pocket, makes that process considerably easier.

‘I use it a lot when I’m out with the dog,’ Mr Harmer explained.

‘It means that I can be more aware of my surroundings but still feel connected to whatever it is I want to be connected to, whether that’s an audiobook or listening to music.’

Likewise, the AI glasses’ more sporty features have proven to be a surprising help to people recovering from serious injuries.

Jonathan White was an officer in the Royal Marines on his second tour of Afghanistan in 2010 when an explosion led to the amputation of both his legs and right hand.

A few months after his injuries, Mr White tried a kayaking paddle machine in the gym and decided that it was quite good exercise.

Two years later, he was competing in the Westminster International kayaking race.

This year, Mr White claimed gold at both the European and World Marathon Canoe Championships and is now in training with an eye to the upcoming Summer Paralympics.

When he’s out training, Meta’s newer sport-focused Oakley Vanguards are ideal for keeping track of his statistics and recording some extremely cool videos to share on social media.

Our science editor reviewed these sporty smart glasses back when they released and loved their ‘undeniably excellent’ photo quality and ease of use.

You can read that full review here if you want to learn more. 

But, as a professional athlete, Mr White is able to get far more out of these glasses’ features than the average user.  

Mr White says: ‘When I’m out racing, even if I have my watch in front of me, it’s hard to see the watch face in bright sunshine, so I’m getting readouts on the speakers of my lap times.’

While training surf kayaking out in Australia, Mr White says he was getting frustrated with his technique.

But with just one voice command, he was able to record a video, send it to a coach in Spain, and get feedback directly in his ears – all without letting go of the paddle. 

Even back on dry land, Mr White says he has found the glasses to offer a surprisingly useful edge.

‘There’s almost nothing in life now which isn’t some kind of micro obstacle to you,’ he told the Daily Mail.

‘I initially just thought of them as gadgets, but now I see that this can actually make life easier.

‘You hear your messages coming through, you can still have your navigation apps giving you directions, but all of a sudden you’re not looking down at your phone, you’ve got your eyes up looking around, and you’re able to spot all the obstacles.’

However, even though he is an early adopter of the tech, the athlete says there is still one obstacle he needs to overcome.  

‘The one thing is I’m still very British, so I almost feel slightly embarrassed when I start speaking to my glasses.

‘But I feel like at the moment the biggest hold back is my imagination. I just need to think, “What else can I use them for?”