During Google I/O 2025, mixed reality company Xreal revealed a new pair of “see-through” XR glasses, codenamed Project Aura. Very little is known about this device; neither the company nor Google said much at the event. What we do know paints an interesting picture.
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On the surface, Project Aura looks similar to the Xreal Air 2 Ultra, sporting two distinct lenses on either end, although it has a noticeably bulkier frame. The more interesting tech is found inside the glasses.
Runs on Android XR
According to the announcement, Project Aura runs on Android XR, Google’s new extended-reality operating platform. It will “support a rich ecosystem of immersive devices,” including virtual see-through (VST) and optical see-through (OST). At the heart of this technology is Google’s Gemini AI.
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Although Xreal and Google are the main figures in this partnership, Qualcomm plays a significant role by providing Snapdragon XR chips. These chipsets have reportedly been “optimized for spatial computing.”
Gemini AI assistant
Taking a step back and looking at the bigger picture, Project Aura appears to be a pair of XR glasses that utilize Google Gemini as an AI assistant and have access to the tech giant’s software suite. Xreal products mainly focus on providing immersive entertainment, but gaining support for Google Workspace would allow the smart glasses to reach a wider audience.
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In my opinion, Android XR will be the real star of the show when Project Aura launches. The OS is seemingly a direct answer to Apple’s VisionOS. Google has an official preview page for Android XR, and if you look through it, you’ll gain an idea of what a pair of smart glasses supporting the platform can do.
Project Aura could provide step-by-step navigation, telling you where to turn and how long it’ll take to reach your destination. Android XR is also capable of providing real-time translation across multiple languages and offers direct access to Gemini. The preview shows how the AI will be “aware” of the surrounding environment and can give contextually appropriate answers.
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Many contemporary smart glasses are already capable of accomplishing similar tasks, but the implication I get from the announcement is that Project Aura will be an evolution of this tech.
Do take everything I said with a grain of salt. As stated earlier, there’s still much that we don’t know. Xreal promises to reveal more at the Augmented World Expo 2025.
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