As artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) technologies continue to evolve, smart glasses are rapidly becoming a key part of modern technology. According to global tech intelligence company ABI Research, the shipment volume of screenless smart glasses is expected to reach 15 million units by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of nearly 68%. This growth reflects a significant increase in demand from both consumers and enterprises, indicating that smart glasses will become an essential part of future technology and daily life.
The Rise of Smart Glasses in the Market
Over the past year, Meta’s collaboration with Ray-Ban to launch smart glasses has attracted widespread attention, marking a milestone in the development of screenless smart glasses. While Meta Ray-Ban is not the first smart glasses to feature AR, it has successfully combined fashion with technology, quickly gaining popularity among consumers. Unlike traditional AR devices, these glasses are lightweight and inconspicuous, enabling users to interact with AI and AR technology without drawing too much attention. This design makes smart glasses more accessible to everyday consumers, overcoming the “high-tech” image typically associated with AR devices.
ABI Research analyst Matilda Beinat explains, “We believe that this type of smart glasses will be key to expanding the extended reality (XR) market, especially in the consumer space.” She emphasizes that as more brands enter the market, smart glasses will no longer be a niche product for tech enthusiasts but will become part of the mainstream. ABI Research predicts that by 2030, shipments of screenless smart glasses will grow from just under 700,000 units in 2024 to 15 million units, highlighting the huge market potential.
Rapid Market Entry by Competitors
Despite Meta Ray-Ban being a market leader, many other tech companies are quickly following suit with their own versions of screenless smart glasses. For example, Amazon’s Echo Frames, Xiaomi’s concept smart glasses, Solos, and Rokid are all in the process of developing similar products. As the technology matures and competition intensifies, these smart glasses will become more diverse, catering to different consumer needs in terms of features, design, and experience.
The unique selling point of these smart glasses is their screenless design. Unlike traditional AR devices, screenless glasses interact with the environment through AI, helping users retrieve information or perform tasks without relying on a traditional display. This discreet design enables users to seamlessly integrate these smart glasses into their everyday lives without drawing undue attention. This makes them attractive not only to tech enthusiasts but also to a broader range of consumers.
Enterprise Market Potential
In addition to the consumer market, screenless smart glasses have shown great potential in enterprise applications. In many industries, particularly manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and education, smart glasses are already being explored for use. By integrating AI and AR technology, smart glasses can provide real-time operational guidance, remote technical support, and employee training, helping workers improve productivity and reduce error rates.
For example, on the factory floor, employees can wear smart glasses to view operation manuals, get repair instructions, or even interact with remote experts to solve problems. In healthcare, doctors can use smart glasses to quickly check patient records, access diagnostic information, and even conduct remote consultations, thus improving efficiency and reducing medical errors. The growing adoption of this technology in enterprise environments highlights that smart glasses are not just personal gadgets—they are becoming essential tools for enhancing productivity and streamlining workflows.
Improving Productivity and Efficiency
Smart glasses, supported by AI assistants, can understand the user’s surrounding environment and provide real-time assistance, thereby greatly enhancing productivity and efficiency. In industries like manufacturing or warehousing, employees wearing smart glasses can quickly access the latest inventory information, monitor task progress, and view real-time production data, which reduces human error and improves work accuracy.
Similarly, in sectors like healthcare and logistics, smart glasses can help workers communicate and collaborate more efficiently, cutting down on wasted time. The remote collaboration feature allows experts and on-site staff to interact in real-time, accelerating problem-solving and improving work efficiency.
The Fashion Trend of Screenless Glasses

Beyond their powerful functionality, the fashionable design of smart glasses is another key factor contributing to their popularity. Screenless smart glasses offer both a high-tech and stylish look, making them not only functional tools but also trendy accessories. This dual appeal makes them popular among younger consumers and tech enthusiasts.
Many brands have incorporated more fashionable elements into their designs by collaborating with renowned designers or fashion labels, making smart glasses an expression of personal style. The screenless design ensures that these glasses resemble regular eyewear or sunglasses, avoiding the bulky, “high-tech” look of traditional smart glasses, which makes them more appealing to a wider consumer base.
Future Development of Smart Glasses
As technology continues to evolve, the future of smart glasses holds even more promise. In addition to the current AI and AR capabilities, future smart glasses may incorporate health monitoring, voice interaction, environmental sensing, and other advanced features, enabling them to serve in more diverse scenarios.
By 2025, smart glasses are expected to undergo significant innovation, showcasing stronger computing power, longer battery life, and a wider range of use cases. For instance, augmented reality could allow smart glasses to overlay more information in the real world, helping users understand their environment better. With the widespread adoption of 5G technology, smart glasses may rely more on cloud computing platforms, making them more powerful and flexible.
Growing Demand in the Enterprise Market
As the use of smart glasses in enterprises expands, the demand for screenless smart glasses in the enterprise sector is expected to grow substantially by 2030. More companies are beginning to realize the immense value that smart glasses can bring in terms of enhancing productivity, optimizing workflows, and improving employee training. In industries where precision and real-time information are critical, the value of smart glasses becomes even more apparent.
For example, in fields like maintenance, technical support, and field services, smart glasses are indispensable. Workers wearing smart glasses can access up-to-date operational instructions, receive step-by-step guidance, and interact with remote experts in real-time, significantly improving efficiency and the quality of service.
Conclusion: The Smart Glasses Era Is Upon Us
With the continued integration of AI and AR technologies, screenless smart glasses are gradually becoming an essential tool in daily life and work. Meta Ray-Ban’s success has opened the door to a new era for smart glasses, and the entry of more tech brands will further drive innovation and development in this field. Whether in the consumer market or enterprise applications, the widespread use of smart glasses will change the way we interact with technology and boost productivity across industries.
By 2030, smart glasses will no longer be just a fashionable tech accessory—they will be an indispensable part of daily life, reshaping how we perceive wearable technology and setting new expectations for the future.