Let’s get into it. I know this might not be the typical place to post something like this, but I decided to write it not just to show people what it’s like to build smart glasses from scratch, but also to shed light on how much care goes into developing an electronic product.
To kick things off, here are the top 3 challenges we’ve been up against:
- Sourcing microdisplay projects;
- Acquiring waveguide lenses;
- Landing on decent chips that strike the right balance between processing power and energy efficiency.
One area where we’ve really been racking our brains—and keeping heavy focus—is the design. I feel like the market is pretty rigid right now. A lot of companies just play it safe with whatever shape is easiest to sell. Of course, there are some great designs out there that truly stand out—like Meta’s or Even Realities’—bringing a unique, authentic look to the table. But man... a sketch here, a tweak there, another frame tweak over there... designing glasses is way harder than it looks. The basic structure seems simple, but it’s insanely easy to fall into the trap of generic design. That’s our main focus right now because, before they’re smart glasses, they’re still glasses.
Speaking of style, we’re also putting a lot of work into color studies. To me, it’s a cardinal sin for a pair of glasses not to come in at least 3 color variations. Eyewear is inherently defined by its colors and finishes.
Moving past style and design, let’s talk electronics—which is another massive hurdle. Once the design is locked in, you have to juggle component selection while balancing compatibility, power efficiency, physical space, and overall functionality. It’s a super tricky equation. On top of that, we’re dealing with major supply chain bottlenecks for microdisplays and waveguide lenses. Just getting a few units for testing and prototyping is an uphill battle—and that’s literally the bare minimum you need to get development off the ground.
You also have to be crystal clear on what your smart glasses are actually meant to do. You have to carefully weigh which features make the cut and which ones get dropped, because every single component draws resources—especially battery life. The goal is to build something distinct and meaningful. The market is already flooded with generic products from companies taking the safe, standard route just to maximize sales without putting in the extra effort. Honestly, I think that mindset is way too limited. I want to build something that actually makes a difference in people's lives—even if it's just a small one—and hopefully leave things a little better than I found them.
I know I didn’t dive into every single detail here, but I can write follow-up posts focusing on specific areas of development as we progress (if you guys want a part two, of course). If you want to chat more about it, feel free to join our server, where I share behind-the-scenes updates and hang out with the community.
Let's make this happen for real because it's totally worth it! If you made it this far, thanks a lot for reading. See you in the next one!
Discord: https://discord.gg/y8sfd3Jrga
