AI Monocle: A Paradigm Shift in Everyday Life
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to push the boundaries of innovation, and its latest foray into our daily lives comes in the form of the AI Monocle. Developed by Brilliant Labs, this smart augmented reality (AR) wearable integrates seamlessly with the ChatGPT AI chatbot, allowing users to interact with the chatbot and receive its responses directly in front of their eyes.
But how does this cutting-edge technology fare in real-world scenarios? Can having access to an AI-powered chatbot enhance our daily lives, or does it complicate matters further? To find out, I decided to wear Brilliant Labs’ ChatGPT monocle for a week and put its basic chatbot functionality to the test. No third-party apps were involved this time; it was purely about the essence of the chatbot.
The ChatGPT monocle from Brilliant Labs presents an ingenious tool utilizing AI chatbots in our day-to-day activities. Rather than typing questions on a keyboard or smartphone, users can simply talk through the monocle. The embedded AR screen then displays written responses in front of their immediate surroundings. Powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, this device incorporates a 720p camera, microphone, touch sensors, and a display.
The potential applications are vast, ranging from using it as an interview prompt to aiding in translations during trips abroad. However, a few prerequisites must be met. Users need to download Brilliant Labs’ Noa app on their mobile device and gain access to the ChatGPT API, which requires technical know-how.
Over the past week, I ensured that the ChatGPT monocle was strapped to my face during various outings, desk work, and even trips to the supermarket. Since it attaches to glasses, I essentially wore the wearable whenever I needed to see—which is most of the time.
Straight off the bat, it must be acknowledged that it may not be the most ideal wearable in terms of form-factor. Brilliant Labs has adopted a one-size-fits-all approach, resulting in the monocle being smaller than my glasses’ lens. Consequently, I had to strain my vision to see past some of the inner mechanisms. Although this is an aspect that could be refined in future design iterations, attention also needs to be paid to the weight. While the monocle does not overly burden the glasses, there is a noticeable heaviness on the ear. I even experienced my glasses sliding off on a few occasions when glancing downward.
The companion app, Noa, plays a significant role in the overall experience. To ensure the ChatGPT requests are effectively communicated to the cloud, users must keep the app open at all times. However, it seemingly remains operable even with the smartphone’s display dimmed or in the user’s pocket. Naturally, a Wi-Fi or data connection is imperative for its functionality.
The user experience with the monocle is somewhat mixed. To initiate its listening feature, a tap on the top of the monocle is sufficient, after which the user can speak directly into it. It takes a few seconds for the device to process the input and even longer for ChatGPT to provide a response. My longest waiting time for a reply was around 30 seconds, but this was for a more complex request.
Now, you may be wondering, how did I utilize the monocle? Coinciding with a trip to Berlin, I decided to take the monocle for a spin on the first day. Although airport security found the device amusing, they did not express any significant concerns. Upon arrival in Berlin, I put the monocle to the test by attempting translation. I asked ChatGPT to translate a phrase from an airport sign, doing my best to mimic German pronunciation. The device successfully provided an accurate translation (or at least it led me to the right place). However, it consumed far more time than expected. I found myself waiting for a couple of minutes, most likely appearing lost and bewildered. Real-time translation during a conversation seems beyond the capabilities of the present device.
Other tasks I employed the monocle for included seeking quick answers to questions, primarily related to date verification and other information typically obtained through a Google search. As long as the information pertained to pre-2021, ChatGPT proved to be a reliable aid. However, outside my desk work, I could honestly say that I did not extensively use the monocle in real-life scenarios. On one occasion, while at a supermarket, I inquired about a specific ingredient in Nutella, but that was the extent of it. I even attempted to simulate a job interview to gauge ChatGPT’s ability to offer ideal responses, but it did not display much enthusiasm in providing optimal answers.
Perhaps I am not the ideal individual to accompany an AI assistant during my daily routine. I rarely rely on Siri for assistance, except for controlling my home’s lighting. Consequently, the monocle may not be perfectly suited to my needs. However, the challenge lies in the product itself, particularly concerning its price tag. For a device that requires a significant investment, it feels somewhat clunky. Brilliant Labs may embrace this as part of its charm, but to attract customers, a consumer-ready version would necessitate substantial fine-tuning.
In fact, the ideal scenario would be for the display to be seamlessly integrated into smart glasses or existing wearable items. Why are there no voice command-supported ChatGPT apps for smartwatches? And why don’t Meta’s smart glasses come equipped with an AI assistant? By incorporating these intelligent capabilities into items people already wear, the case for adoption would become more compelling. I, for one, would gladly carry AI on my face if it were part of my glasses. But until then, it may be time to retire the monocle—at least for now.
