Accessibility-focused tech company Envision has teamed up with eyewear maker Solos to launch the Ally Solos Smart Glasses, designed specifically for people who are blind or have low vision. These camera-equipped glasses can read and translate text, describe surroundings, search the web, and recognize people, objects, and signs — delivering information to the wearer through open-ear speakers built into the frame.
Price and Availability
The Ally Solos Glasses are now available for pre-order at a special launch price of $399 (discounted from $699). They come in two frame sizes regular and large with color options in black, gray, and brown. Pre-orders are expected to ship in October 2025.
AI Features and Technology
Built on the Solos AirGo Vision glasses platform (originally launched in December 2024), the Ally version swaps out OpenAI’s GPT-4o for Envision’s “Ally” AI assistant. This assistant uses a combination of AI models, including Meta’s Llama, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Perplexity AI.
The AI features connect to the Ally mobile app (iOS and Android) via Bluetooth. Once connected, users can access a wide range of assistive functions:
- Text reading and translation
- Surroundings description
- Object and person recognition
- Sign reading
- Web search capabilities
Design and Battery Life
The Ally Solos Glasses are built for durability, with an IP67 dust and water resistance rating. They feature USB-C rechargeable ear stems that offer up to 16 hours of active use. A full charge takes about 90 minutes, while 15 minutes of fast charging provides around 3 hours of battery life.
Accessibility in Smart Glasses
Envision has a track record in assistive eyewear, previously developing smart glasses based on Google Glass. Similarly, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have gained popularity in the low-vision community for their AI-assisted vision features.
However, the Ally Solos Glasses sit at the higher end of the market retailing at $699 after the launch period compared to the $299 AirGo Vision and Ray-Ban Meta models. Whether the expanded AI capabilities justify the price difference remains to be seen.
