Meta is betting big on wearable tech to turn around its hardware business. The company plans to start testing an AI-powered pendant within the next year. This pendant will act as a personal assistant, always ready to listen and respond without needing a phone.

The idea behind the pendant comes from Meta’s 2025 acquisition of Limitless, a startup that made a clip-on device. This device records conversations and turns them into searchable summaries and transcripts. Meta wants to build on that to create a seamless AI companion you wear.

Alongside the pendant, Meta is expanding its lineup of smart glasses. The company already works with Ray-Ban and Oakley to create AI-powered eyewear. Now, it plans to launch up to four new smart glasses models before the end of the year. These will include new designs and updated tech to make AI more useful and accessible.

Meta is not stopping at consumer gadgets. It is also rolling out a business-focused service called “Wearables for Work.” This subscription service aims to bring AI wearables into offices and workplaces, helping professionals stay connected and productive with hands-free assistance.

The push comes as Meta’s Reality Labs division faces huge losses. In the first quarter of 2026, it lost $4 billion despite making $400 million in revenue. The company hopes that selling 10 million wearable devices in the second half of the year will improve these numbers.

AI Wearables and the Future of Interaction

Meta’s vision goes beyond phones and screens. The AI pendant and smart glasses are designed to embed intelligence into everyday life. Instead of pulling out a device, users will get help through voice commands and contextual awareness.

The smart glasses will feature AI models that can see and understand what the wearer sees. This opens up new ways to get real-time information, translations, or reminders without interrupting daily activities. The pendant will complement this by capturing audio and providing summaries automatically.

Meta’s VP of wearables, Alex Himel, wrote that the goal is to make AI-driven wearables common and useful for many people. The company plans to expand availability to more countries and bring new features through subscription models. This could shift wearables from one-time purchases to ongoing services.

Challenges and Privacy Concerns

With new devices always listening or watching, privacy is a major concern. Meta’s smart glasses include physical indicators to show when the camera is recording. But as AI gets smarter and more autonomous, these signals may not be enough for users and bystanders.

Wearing AI-powered devices means constant data flow. Meta must balance helpful features with protecting user privacy and preventing misuse. Ensuring that AI apps on these wearables behave safely and respect boundaries will be key to gaining trust.

The company also faces technical challenges. Integrating powerful AI into small, wearable devices requires innovation in hardware and software. Meta needs to deliver smooth performance without draining batteries or overwhelming users with complexity.

Despite these hurdles, Meta is clear about its commitment to AI wearables. The company sees them as the next step in human-computer interaction. By bringing AI into the background of everyday life, Meta hopes to create a future where technology feels natural and effortless.

This ambitious roadmap shows Meta moving fast to redefine wearables. The AI pendant and new smart glasses will be important tests of whether the company can turn its hardware losses into growth. For users, this means exciting new ways to stay connected, informed, and productive on the go.