AI smart glasses will help visually impaired runners take on the London Marathon

Tilly Dowler, who has Stargardt disease and about 10% useful vision, is preparing to run the London Marathon with her boyfriend as her guide. She is using AI-powered Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses to help her navigate and track her progress. The glasses allow her to ask for live cues, such as landmarks and distance run, and combine audio feedback with guidance from her running partner. Dowler is among a growing number of visually impaired runners using AI-enabled smart glasses. The technology has become part of daily life for some users, including Sha Khan, who lost around 90% of his vision in 2021. Smart glasses use a front-facing camera and artificial intelligence to analyze visual input and provide audio feedback. The devices can be controlled with voice commands, buttons, or gestures.