AI Glasses Glossary.

A reference work for the whole category — so that data sheets and comparisons become understandable.

CategoriesDevice types

AI glasses AI eyewear

Glasses that integrate an AI assistant and usually sensors (display, camera or microphone) to deliver information in everyday life. The term emphasises artificial intelligence over pure hardware.

Smart glasses

Umbrella term for connected glasses with electronic functions. It covers display, camera/audio and AR glasses — very different devices that are often lumped together.See also: Comparison of the categories

Display/AI glasses

Glasses that show discreet, mostly monochrome information for the wearer and rely on an AI assistant — typically without a camera. Designed for productivity and privacy. Example: the Even G2.

Camera/audio glasses

Glasses with a camera and speakers but no display in the field of view. Core functions are photo/video from a first-person perspective and an audio assistant.

AR glasses Augmented Reality

Glasses that project large, often coloured virtual image surfaces into the field of view — as a virtual monitor or cinema on the go. Usually heavier and rather for seated use.

Mixed reality MR

Merging of real and virtual environments in which virtual objects interact with reality. More demanding than simple overlays and mostly reserved for headsets.

Display & opticsHow the image is created

Waveguide

Optical component that couples light from a tiny display into the lens from the side and couples it out again in front of the eye. This creates a projected image while the lens stays transparent — the basis of slim display glasses.

Micro-LED

Display made of very small, self-emitting LEDs. Valued in AI glasses for high brightness, efficiency and durability; often monochrome (e.g. green) in slim glasses.

Micro-OLED OLED-on-Silicon

Very small OLED display on a silicon chip. Delivers high resolution and full colour and is used above all in AR/media glasses.

Field of view FOV · Field of View

The angular range (in degrees) in which the glasses can project an image. Display glasses deliberately use a small FOV for discreet cues; AR glasses a large one for a screen-filling image.

Nit cd/m²

Unit of luminance. The higher the nit value, the brighter the display — decisive for whether overlays remain legible outdoors in sunlight.

Resolution

Number of pixels of the display (e.g. 640×480). With a small field of view a moderate resolution often suffices for sharp text; a large image needs more pixels.

Birdbath

Optical design with beam splitter and concave mirror, common in AR/media glasses. Delivers sharp, high-contrast colour images but tends to be bulkier than a waveguide.

Monochrome vs. full colour

Monochrome displays show a single colour (often green), are very efficient and ideal for text/symbols. Full-colour displays show coloured images but need more energy and more complex optics.

AI & softwareWhat the glasses can do

AI assistant

Voice- or context-controlled AI in the glasses that answers questions, translates, navigates or takes notes. Quality and language support (including German/dialect) vary greatly.

On-device processing

Data processing directly on the glasses or the paired device instead of in the cloud. Relevant for data protection and for short response times (latency).

Real-time translation

Live translation of spoken language that appears as subtitles in the field of view or is output via audio — useful for travel, meetings and accessibility.See also: Glasses with translation

Transcription

Automatic recording of spoken language as text — for example for minutes or as live subtitles for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Teleprompter

Function that discreetly scrolls prepared text through the field of view so you can speak freely without glancing at cards or a screen.

Hardware & fitBattery, fit, prescription

mAh milliampere-hour

Unit of battery capacity. With AI glasses the pure capacity of the glasses is small; what matters is the interplay with the charging case and the real runtime in everyday life.

Charging case

Case with its own battery that recharges the glasses several times on the go. It significantly extends the usable runtime without needing a power socket.

IPD pupillary distance

The distance between the eyes. It affects how well a projected image appears centred and sharp; some glasses offer an adjustment for this.

Rx / prescription lens

Rx denotes a lens with corrective power. Some AI glasses can be fitted with single-vision or progressive lenses so they replace everyday glasses.See also: Prescription lenses for the Even G2

UltraFit

Even Realities' name for the prescription lenses (single-vision and progressive) that can be integrated into the Even G2.

Tethering

Pairing the glasses with a smartphone or computer — via Bluetooth for data or via USB-C for power and image signal. AR/media glasses are often tethered.

Data protectionRights & signals

Recording indicator

Visible signal (such as an LED) that shows a camera glasses is currently recording. It is important for the privacy of people nearby — display glasses without a camera do not need it.See also: AI glasses & data protection

revDSG

The revised Swiss Data Protection Act, which governs the processing of personal data in Switzerland — relevant as soon as glasses process recordings or voice data.

GDPR

The EU General Data Protection Regulation. It applies when data of persons in the EU is processed and sets standards that Swiss providers also follow.