Imagine stepping into the future with Meta’s Orion AR glasses. At a staggering $10,000 per pair, these glasses aren’t just a piece of tech; they’re a glimpse into what’s next. The hefty price largely comes down to their unique silicon carbide waveguide lenses. Yet, Meta is optimistic, suggesting future cost reductions could make this technology more accessible.
Silicon carbide isn’t entirely new—it’s been the backbone for high-power chips for quite some time because it offers superior power efficiency and operates cooler than traditional silicon. However, producing silicon carbide is no simple task due to the intricacies involved in its material properties, crystal formation, and manufacturing processes.
The electric vehicle industry has been pivotal in bringing down the costs, although silicon-based tech still dominates due to its affordability. There’s also buzz around possible applications in quantum computing, offering another frontier for this material, though that’s a different ballgame from Meta’s AR ambitions.
Meta’s interest in silicon carbide is driven by its high refractive index, perfect for creating clear, wide field-of-view waveguides in AR glasses. Orion showcases a remarkable 70-degree field of view, a standout feature that sets it apart from the rest. Users who’ve experienced the switch from traditional glass waveguides to silicon carbide describe a transformation akin to leaving a chaotic disco for a serene symphony.
Over the last few years, the automotive industry, particularly electric vehicles, has helped drive down the costs of silicon carbide chips. Giuseppe Calafiore from Reality Labs notes this price shift, pointing out that abundant supply and reduced demand have made the substrate more affordable.
However, repurposing silicon carbide from EVs isn’t straightforward. The wafers used in vehicles focus on electronics, not optics. Still, Barry Silverstein from Reality Labs is hopeful about scaling up optical-grade production. Suppliers see this as a lucrative opportunity, aiming to transition to larger wafer sizes, which would decrease costs and increase production efficiency.
“The world is waking up to silicon carbide’s versatile potential,” Silverstein remarks. The journey isn’t over, but the promise of immense advancements drives excitement for future applications, including quantum computing.
This pattern isn’t unfamiliar. Throughout tech history, larger industries have often paved the way for new innovations. Take VR headsets for example; smartphone developments in the early 2010s were critical. Devices like the Oculus Rift DK2, using a Samsung screen designed for a smartphone, exemplify this trend.
The leap to photonics-grade silicon carbide for AR glasses won’t be swift. It remains a specialized arena requiring years before widespread production is feasible. Orion isn’t commercially ready yet but serves as Meta’s development playground, with hopes of launching consumer AR glasses before 2030 in the realms of phone and laptop pricing, as stated by CTO Andrew Bosworth.
Even with challenges ahead, the widespread consumer appeal of such technology is undeniable. Giants like Meta, Apple, and Google are racing to carve out their spaces in what’s projected to be the next evolution in mobile computing—a future where AR glasses might render smartphones obsolete.
