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Home Blog Why Smart Glasses Are the Next Frontier in Assistive Tech
Few innovations have managed to bridge the gap between convenience and transformative social impact. The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, in partnership with Be My Eyes, are doing just that; redefining what it means to make technology truly accessible.
July 16, 2025
Recently, our CEO Mike Buckley joined The Vergecast to speak with tech journalist Victoria Song about how this innovation is reshaping what freedom and independence look like for millions of blind and low-vision individuals around the world.
“Those glasses are power… for a large section of humanity.” – Mike Buckley, CEO, Be My Eyes
Here’s a short clip…
For most of us, wearable tech is about added convenience: taking calls on the go, snapping hands-free photos, or asking a voice assistant for directions. But for people who are blind or have low vision, the impact goes far beyond this, it’s life-changing.
As Mike Buckley shared in his interview, everyday tasks that many take for granted such as finding the right gate at an airport, identifying a product at the grocery store, or reading to a child can either be extremely complex or impossible without visual information.
Traditional smartphones can help, but in certain scenarios, they fall short.
“Imagine navigating an airport with a suitcase in one hand and a cane or guide dog in the other, where does your phone go? Smart glasses change that equation entirely.”
By freeing up both hands while enabling users to connect with a live volunteer or AI assistant, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses integrated with Be My Eyes are transforming how people who are blind or have low-vision move through the world.
One of the most moving moments of the conversation came when Mike shared a story about a blind father who used the smart glasses and Be My Eyes to read a book to his young daughter for the very first time.
“Robbie read a book to his two-year-old daughter for the first time using those glasses and Be My Eyes. How cool is that?”
These kinds of stories remind us why we do what we do and they underscore the human value of accessible technology as a core design principle.
When people gain tools that enhance their independence, the ripple effects extend to families, workplaces, and communities.
Importantly, Be My Eyes gives users the ability to choose between AI and live human assistance. While AI can handle quick, repetitive tasks, many users still value human connection, particularly in moments that require empathy, discretion, or reassurance.
“It’s not an ‘either-or.’ It’s an ‘and.’ AI and humans. Let the user choose what works best.”
This philosophy of flexibility is core to Be My Eyes’ approach: empowering users with tools, choices, and access in the ways that suit them best.
While the social impact is profound, there’s also a compelling business case for embracing accessibility.
With over 300 million people worldwide living with blindness or low vision, and that number expected to double by 2050 due to aging populations and conditions like diabetes and macular degeneration, there’s a growing urgency to make accessibility a priority in tech development.
Companies that prioritize accessibility see measurable results:
Ready to explore the full opportunity?
Download The Business Case for Accessibility eBook to discover real-world success stories and get actionable strategies for embedding accessibility into your business. Whether you’re building your ROI model or preparing for compliance, this guide will help you unlock the innovation, market growth, and brand impact that accessibility delivers.
