Smart Glasses Spearhead ‘Physical AI’ Device Shift as Tech Giants Chase Heads-Up Economy

Generative AI is moving beyond cloud-based question-and-answer services toward “physical AI” that can perceive its surroundings and respond in real time. Positioned close to the user's line of sight, smart glasses can combine cameras, voice interfaces and large language models, making them a potentially important edge-computing gateway after the smartphone. Meta's and Google's strategies could shape control of operating systems, application ecosystems and user data.

The latest report says Meta and Google are integrating large language models into wearable devices, while market attention is shifting toward an expected acceleration in demand for AR glasses after 2026. Available event data do not disclose product launch dates, shipment volumes or investment amounts. The only confirmed timeframe is after 2026, with mass production, pricing and ecosystem development still to be seen.