'We Made A Lot Of Mistakes': Sergey Brin Reflects As Google Bets Big On AI Smart Glasses
Google's renewed interest in wearables is not just conceptual. It has pledged $150 million to Warby Parker to accelerate the development of AI-integrated smart glasses.
More than a decade after the misfire that was Google Glass, co-founder Sergey Brin is publicly owning up to the mistakes, and Google is back in the smart glasses game with fresh partners, stylish designs, and artificial intelligence at its core. At its I/O 2025 developer conference in Mountain View, Google unveiled XR Glass, a next-generation wearable developed with Samsung Electronics, fashion-forward Gentle Monster, and consumer eyewear player Warby Parker.
XR Glass: Smarter, Sleeker, Stronger
Unlike the clunky and short-lived Google Glass, XR Glass aims to be fashion-friendly and function-rich. With a transparent display built into the right lens, the smart glasses can overlay directions, translations, and reminders without obstructing the user’s vision. Voice commands are processed via Google’s Gemini Live AI assistant, made possible by an integrated camera, mic, and speaker setup.
This stylish new device is a product of “Project Moohan,” the Android XR initiative co-developed by Google and Samsung. Designed for both practicality and aesthetics, it’s a clear step up from previous prototypes. Gentle Monster and Warby Parker have lent their design expertise to ensure the XR Glass doesn’t look like a gadget, but a sleek piece of eyewear.
Sergey Brin: “Didn’t Know Anything About Consumer Electronic Supply Chains”
Brin opened up about the pitfalls that plagued Google Glass. “Didn’t know anything about consumer electronic supply chains, or how difficult it would be to build smart glasses at a reasonable price point,” he said. He admitted, “We made a lot of mistakes,” and conceded that Google Glass, launched in 2013, was “perhaps ahead of its time.”
In a chat with Big Technology Podcast’s Alex Kantrowitz, Brin reiterated the challenges, noting that the company struggled with affordability and logistics. Yet he still sees promise in the concept: “The fundamental form factor of Google Glass was pretty cool,” Brin said, calling it the “perfect hardware” for today’s AI-powered world.
Backing Warby Parker With $150 Million
Google's renewed interest in wearables is not just conceptual. It’s financial. The company has pledged $150 million to Warby Parker to accelerate the development of AI-integrated smart glasses. Half of that sum is earmarked for product creation and commercialisation. The remaining $75 million will be invested at Warby Parker’s discretion, contingent on specific development milestones.
In addition to XR Glass, Google teased “Project Aura” at I/O — another pair of Android XR-powered smart glasses in collaboration with Xreal. These promise immersive 360-degree video, Gemini AI integration, and a broader field of view.
A More Serious Push Into Wearables
From failed experiments to polished prototypes, Google’s journey with smart glasses is undergoing a full reboot. This time, it comes with real-world functionality, fashion industry collaboration, and a much more grounded understanding of what consumers want. With Android XR as the backbone and AI doing the heavy lifting, Google is signalling that it’s finally ready to make smart glasses more than just a vision of the future.
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