The research was launched in late October and is codenamed Atlas. The product is also expected to be the successor to Apple Vision Pro.
Through internal research, Apple seeks to gather feedback from employees about existing smart glasses models on the market.
The study was conducted by the Product Systems Quality group within Apple's hardware engineering division. Apple also plans to host additional discussion groups in the future.
According to Bloomberg, the company sent an internal email inviting some employees at its headquarters in Cupertino to participate in the study.
“Experimenting and developing products that people can love is at the core of what we do at Apple. That’s why we’re looking for people to participate in upcoming research with smart glasses prototypes that are currently on the market,” the email said.
Previous rumors have suggested that Apple is aiming to launch smart glasses by 2027. An Apple patent filing for a potential hinge mechanism has surfaced, along with years of evidence of the project.
Meanwhile, several other companies have also expressed interest in smart glasses, with Meta unveiling its Orion prototype in September 2024.
It makes sense for Apple to gather feedback from employees and analyze potential competitors. People familiar with the development of the Apple Vision Pro told AppleInsider that the company analyzed existing virtual reality devices before launching the product, so a similar strategy for smart glasses is likely.
In 2025, the Apple Vision Pro will likely be upgraded with a brand new M5 chip, while the low-cost version of the device could be delayed until 2027.
CEO Tim Cook has described the current Apple Vision Pro as a consumer product, suggesting the company will likely continue developing augmented reality devices in the future, possibly even smart glasses.
