Andy Evans, a 57-year-old man from Bath, says his life has been transformed after he returned to work thanks to new AI-powered glasses from Ray-Ban and Meta. Evans, who was forced to leave his job and was officially registered blind, says the technology has given him back his independence and confidence.
The smart glasses, which resemble standard Ray-Ban frames, feature a built-in camera and speakers. They are voice-activated, allowing users to ask the integrated artificial intelligence to describe their surroundings and complete daily tasks. For Evans, this has been a turning point. “What you can do, you can ask them to look and tell you what’s going on around you. It’s life-changing technology,” he told BBC Radio Bristol.
The device has enabled him to perform a range of simple yet crucial tasks, from ordering food at a restaurant to identifying obstacles in his path. Evans even has his glasses configured to speak in the voice of Dame Judi Dench, who affectionately refers to him as “James Bond” or “007.”
The glasses have also opened up a new career path for Evans. He now works at the charity Sight Support West of England, where he helps others adapt to sight loss. His new role is a testament to the technology’s potential to empower individuals with disabilities and provide them with new opportunities.
Robin Spinks, head of inclusive design at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), praised the technology, highlighting its “real, tangible impact” on the blind and partially sighted community. He noted that while the market for smart glasses is still in its infancy, their potential for revolutionizing accessibility is enormous.
For Evans, the future is brighter. He has moved from struggling with daily life to actively supporting others, all thanks to a pair of glasses that gave him back his ability to navigate the world.
