Lightweight AI glasses now outsell headsets, big platforms and Indian brands are launching new frames, and powered exoskeletons are moving from factory floors to hiking trails. Here are the figures and moves worth knowing.
Smart glasses are pulling wearables into the mainstream.
33.5% growth in global XR device shipments forecast for 2026 (IDC, 2026)
Meta widens its glasses lineup, from camera-free audio frames to VR glasses
· Launch
At Connect 2026, Meta released Ray-Ban Meta Gen 3 at $449 and opened orders for camera-free Ray-Ban Meta Audio at $349, shipping October 13. Meta Ray-Ban Display reaches Germany, France and Italy from €899, and lightweight Meta VR Glasses arrive next spring for $1,300.
Why it matters: One maker now spans audio-only frames to display glasses and compact VR. Buyers have to match the tier to the job, including whether a camera is welcome at all in their workplace.
IDC counts 3.5 million smart eyewear units shipped in the second quarter
· Market
IDC says global smart eyewear shipments reached 3.547 million units in Q2 2026, up 35.3% on the year. Audio and camera glasses made up 2.494 million, AR glasses 505,000, while VR and MR headsets fell 23.3% to 548,000. China shipments declined 8% in the quarter.
Why it matters: Glasses people can wear all day are outselling immersive headsets. Teams planning training or field-support programs should expect more choice and faster model turnover in lightweight eyewear than in headsets.
Hypershell unveils Halo, a consumer exoskeleton powering both hips and knees
· Launch
Unveiled at IFA 2026, Hypershell's Halo drives four hip and knee joints as one system. It weighs 2.6 kg, delivers 1,490 W peak power and covers up to 20 km per charge. A 200-unit Origin Edition costs $2,299, with deliveries planned for November 2026.
Why it matters: Consumer exoskeletons are moving past hip-only assist toward full-leg support. Fit, weight and battery range differ widely between models, so a side-by-side check against the terrain and distance matters before buying.
Draft ISO standard sets out how workplaces should select and deploy exoskeletons
· Standards
ISO/DIS 25563 entered its enquiry stage as a Draft International Standard. It gives employers, designers, makers and integrators a process for defining needs, selecting, designing, assessing and deploying occupational exoskeletons. Medical, gaming, sports and leisure devices fall outside its scope.
Why it matters: A shared process gives safety and operations teams a common checklist before exoskeletons reach the floor. Pairing it with a Site Readiness Survey helps confirm tasks, users and workstations actually suit the device.
Google and Samsung preview Android XR glasses with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker
· Partnership
At Google I/O 2026, Google and Samsung showed their first Android XR glasses, designed with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The first styles have no display and work as phone companions using Gemini for navigation, translation and notification summaries. Launch is planned for fall 2026, with display versions targeted for 2027.
Why it matters: A second major platform gives glasses buyers real alternatives on software, apps and frame styles. Rival ecosystems also mean comparing device management, privacy controls and long-term support, not just hardware.
Lenskart launches B, Gemini-powered camera glasses built for Indian buyers
· Launch
Lenskart launched B by Lenskart, 40-gram AI glasses with a 12 MP Sony camera and a Gemini assistant supporting more than 40 languages, including Hinglish. The commercial price is ₹27,000, with an early-bird price of ₹22,000. Its waitlist drew more than 35,000 registrations.
Why it matters: Local brands are pricing and tuning AI glasses for Indian languages and retail. Importers of rival models still face BIS certification and local support needs, which the Import and compliance desk helps sort out.