I’ve been curious about whether my Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses could help me shop independently, so I decided to put them to the test at CVS and Natural Grocers in Austin. My experience was filled with both challenges and moments of shock, especially when the people around me saw how I navigated the store using these glasses.
Testing the Meta Ray-Ban Glasses at CVS
I had some errands to run at CVS, including picking up items at the pharmacy, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to see how the glasses could assist me. To get there, I booked an Uber, using my Meta Ray-Bans to help me identify the car when it arrived. The first Uber wasn’t the right one. I asked the glasses, “Look and tell me what car this is,” and they responded, “This is a white sedan.” I knew immediately that this wasn’t my ride.
When the correct Uber finally pulled up, I used the glasses to confirm by asking, “Look and tell me What color is this car?” The response was, “white.” I then asked, “What car is this?” and it correctly identified it as a white Honda. I double-checked by asking for the license plate number, and the glasses gave me the right details. Feeling confident, I got in and made my way to CVS.
Once at the store, I quickly grabbed my pharmacy items but wanted to explore further to see how much the glasses could assist me in navigating the aisles. I asked, “Look and tell me a detailed description of this aisle,” and it responded with descriptions of greeting cards for graduations and birthdays. Moving down another aisle, it identified the snacks section, describing candies and other treats.
When I picked up items I was interested in, I asked, “Look and tell me what I am holding.” Unfortunately, one of the specific items I was searching for was out of stock, but this process made finding and verifying products a lot easier. Before leaving, I asked the glasses, “Look and tell me if you see the exit sign,” and they guided me accurately to it. I repeated the same steps to find my Uber, verifying the car details to ensure I got into the right one.
Walking to Natural Grocers
The next day, I decided to visit Natural Grocers, which is close enough for me to walk. As I approached, I used my Meta Ray-Ban glasses to ensure I was at the correct location by asking, “Look and tell me if this is Natural Grocers.” The glasses confirmed it was indeed the right business, so I walked in confidently.
Once inside, I began exploring the store using the glasses to assist me. I moved from aisle to aisle, asking for descriptions. When I stood in front of a freezer, I asked, “Look and tell me a detailed description of the contents in this freezer.” The glasses provided descriptions like “pre-made meals,” and when I asked for specifics, it detailed items such as “chicken pot pie” and “chicken tenders.”
I picked up a chicken pot pie and asked, “Look and tell me what I am holding,” which confirmed it was the right item. I followed up with, “Look and tell me the directions,” to verify the cooking instructions, and finally, “Look and tell me the price.” With all the information I needed, I headed to the checkout.
A Moment of Astonishment at the Checkout
As I approached the checkout, the cashier was visibly surprised. The glasses had guided me independently through the store, and it was clear that everyone around was amazed. The cashier couldn’t believe that a blind person could shop without assistance, using only smart glasses to navigate and identify items. The entire store seemed to be in shock and awe, with people watching as I smoothly completed my shopping without needing help from anyone.
After checking out, I wanted to share this experience with my friend Michael. I used the glasses to initiate a WhatsApp call, showing off my purchase. The process was a bit tricky at first, as the call initially connected to my phone instead of my glasses, making it hard to hear him. I manually switched the call back to the glasses and pressed the capture button twice to activate the glasses’ camera. Once I got it right, the video call worked smoothly, and I was able to share my shopping adventure with Michael.
Final Thoughts
Using Meta Ray-Ban glasses for shopping was an empowering experience, allowing me to navigate stores like CVS and Natural Grocers independently. Despite a few initial challenges, such as finding the correct Uber and setting up video calls, the glasses proved invaluable. They helped me verify car details, identify products, read instructions, and guide me to exits.
The reaction from the people at Natural Grocers was particularly rewarding—they were astonished to see how technology enabled me to shop confidently on my own. These smart glasses are more than just a cool gadget; they’re transforming everyday experiences, making them more accessible and enjoyable.