Brilliant Labs: Pioneering the Future of AI Eyewear

Founded in 2019 by Bobak Tavangar, Brilliant Labs has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of technology, specializing in open source eyewear.

Founded in 2019 by Bobak Tavangar, Brilliant Labs has emerged as a trailblazer in the realm of technology, specializing in open source eyewear enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI). Tavangar, a former Apple program lead, envisioned a groundbreaking fusion of AI and eyewear, aiming to endow consumers with “visual superpowers.” This vision was underpinned by the company’s commitment to an open source development model, which empowers creators to access its code and develop innovative applications for their devices.

In January 2024, Brilliant Labs made waves in the tech world with the launch of its debut product, Frame. These innovative glasses, designed to resemble the iconic eyewear of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, are indistinguishable from regular prescription glasses. Frame integrates advanced audio capabilities, featuring a voice assistant named Noa and an AI search engine called Perplexity, making it a sophisticated tool for modern users. The introduction of Frame came at a competitive time, as other tech giants like Humane, Rabbit, and Apple released similar products, and after earlier ventures such as Google Glass and Microsoft HoloLens struggled to gain widespread adoption.

Before Frame, Brilliant Labs had already made its mark with the Monocle, an augmented reality (AR) lens that could be attached to traditional glasses. Like Frame, the Monocle was built on an open source platform, reflecting the company’s philosophy of fostering innovation through collaborative development. Brilliant Labs‘ emphasis on AI and open source technology continues to drive its mission to redefine the possibilities of wearable tech, positioning itself at the forefront of the next wave in smart eyewear.

In January 2024, Brilliant Labs unveiled its first major product, Frame. Designed to mirror the sleek, minimalist style of Steve Jobs’ iconic glasses, Frame is a sophisticated blend of form and function. These glasses, which appear like ordinary eyewear and are suitable for prescription lens users, are equipped with advanced features. They include a voice assistant named Noa and an AI search engine called Perplexity, enhancing the user’s interaction with their surroundings. This release marked a significant milestone amidst a competitive landscape populated by products like Humane’s AI Pin, Rabbit’s R1, and Apple’s Vision Pro. Frame’s debut followed previous attempts by companies like Google and Microsoft to make augmented reality and smart glasses mainstream, such as Google Glass and HoloLens.

Before Frame, Brilliant Labs offered the Monocle, an augmented reality lens that could be attached to traditional glasses. Like their other products, the Monocle utilized open-source software, continuing the company’s commitment to innovation and accessibility.

Brilliant Labs stands at the forefront of merging AI with everyday eyewear, shaping a future where technology seamlessly integrates into our visual experience.