Waveguide Technologies and Substrate Choices Shaping the Next Generation of AR and AI Smart Glasses

The optics used in augmented reality (AR) play a significant role in developing devices which acceptable weight, battery life and form factor. There have been several notable product announcements recently, including Meta's Ray-Ban Display in September 2025, along with expected releases from Snap, Google, and others in 2026. Across these developments, a consistent theme is an emphasis on eyewear that prioritizes conventional style and wearability, with technology integrated as subtly as possible. Waveguides play an important role in enabling this approach, supporting both the aesthetic requirements of fashionable glasses and the functional demands of AR display systems.

 

There is a wide range of waveguide technologies and substrate options available supported by a diverse global ecosystem of suppliers. Polymer substrate waveguides are being explored for their potential to reduce costs, which will be important in supporting broader adoption. In parallel, choices between reflective and diffractive waveguides require careful evaluation, as each approach involves different tradeoffs. This webinar will discuss how these technology and material decisions are shaping the outlook for the adoption of different waveguide architectures and substrates in AR devices.

 

In this 30-minute webinar from IDTechEx, Technology Analyst Thomas Bithell will discuss:

 

· An introduction to the AR smart glasses market and the optics technologies required.

 

· Insights into the advantages and disadvantages of reflective and diffractive waveguide technologies.

 

· Discussion of waveguide substrate choices, including glass, polymer and silicon carbide.

 

· Market outlook and insight into IDTechEx forecasts for the AR market and optics technology adoption.

 

This webinar draws on research from the new market report, "Optics for Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality 2026-2036: Technologies, Forecasts, Markets".