Wearable Technology

2026 is an exciting time for smart glasses, with several products expected to be launched from big tech players later this year, which will follow Meta's release of the Ray-Ban Display launched in September 2025. The optics required to give AI smart glasses augmented reality (AR) capabilities are called waveguides and are positioned within the eyepiece. There have been several key developments to waveguide technology which are enabling AR smart glasses which are lightweight, have longer battery life, and have a fashionable form factor. IDTechEx forecasts 35 million AR smart glasses to be sold annually by 2036.

IDTechEx analyst Thomas Bithell discusses the AR smart glass market and the optics used.

Gixel has developed a solution for AR smart glasses which utilizes pupil-steering.

Producing streamlined devices to measure a number of medical biometrics and creating modern and efficient wearable products are some of the latest achievable possibilities with printed electronics. LOPEC 2026 saw companies showcasing their latest printed electronics technologies emerging into the market.

Sensor Technology at CES 2026

Join IDTechEx Technology Analyst Thomas Bithell on Thursday 26th February for this expert webinar, "Waveguide Technologies and Substrate Choices Shaping the Next Generation of AR and AI Smart Glasses".

IDTechEx's expansive portfolio of advanced materials and critical minerals research reports provides a range of technologies from graphene and carbon nanotubes to conductive inks and advanced coatings. This article covers some of their main applications and use considerations.

Non-waveguide combiners for smart glasses

This article evaluates some of the strengths and weaknesses of reflective and diffractive waveguides used in augmented reality (AR) optics for smart glasses.

IDTechEx met TDK at CES 2026 to find out about some of the technology it has developed for the XR market.

IDTechEx met Bosch at CES 2026 to discuss its sensors for smart glasses.

IDTechEx met Xreal at CES 2026 to demo its VR glasses.

IDTechEx met Lenovo at NEPCON 2026 to demo its latest smart glasses.

AR Smart Glasses and XR: January 2026 Updates from CES and NEPCON

Missed out on CES this year? Or did you attend but miss the chance to explore the sensor innovations on display? In this article, IDTechEx Principal Technology Analyst Dr Tess Skyrme outlines three important trends for the sensor market evident from our trip to Las Vegas this year.

IDTechEx met Vuzix at CES 2026.

IDTechEx met ant Cellid at CES 2026.

IDTechEx met Optiple at CES 2026.

Lumus has developed several prototype next-generation products.

Pancake lenses for VR headsets