Singapore-based startup Brilliant Labs has secured funding for its latest innovation, Frame, a pair of augmented reality (AR) glasses equipped with a multimodal AI assistant called Noa. The funding comes from John Hanke, the CEO of Niantic, the company behind the popular game Pokémon GO. Although the exact amount of funding remains undisclosed, Hanke’s investment highlights the potential of Frame in the market.
Frame’s capabilities were showcased in a video demo, where the glasses displayed their voice command features and the ability to generate and project text-based answers onto the lenses. This means that users can simply ask Noa for information, and the relevant text will be displayed right in front of their eyes.
Noa, the AI assistant, is powered by impressive AI models that enable it to perform various tasks, including visual processing, image generation, translation, and speech recognition. The glasses’ lenses offer a resolution of 640 x 400, allowing users to enjoy videos and photos on the go. For instance, users can ask Noa to check the online prices of products they are viewing, making shopping more convenient and immersive.
Brilliant Labs has plans to further enhance Frame by embedding lightweight machine-learning models directly into the glasses, eliminating the need for a smartphone as a host and streamlining the user experience. Frame, like the company’s previous product Monocle, is an open-source device known for its affordability and programmability.
Designed for everyday wear, Frame comes with prescription lenses and weighs just 39 grams. The glasses feature thick round frames made of nylon plastic. Pre-orders for Frame are now available at a retail price of $349, with shipping expected to begin in April.
Brilliant Labs has a strong track record in terms of funding. Prior to Hanke’s investment, the company had raised $3 million from notable angel investors. With the inclusion of Hanke’s investment, Brilliant Labs’ total financing since its inception in 2019 now stands at an impressive $6 million.
Brilliant Labs’ Frame, with its advanced AI assistant Noa, voice command capabilities, and impressive display features, promises to be a game-changer as AR technology continues to evolve. These glasses have the potential to reshape the way we interact with the world around us, offering a glimpse into the future of augmented reality.
