In a groundbreaking move for wearable technology, Sesame, a US-based voice tech firm founded by former Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe, has raised an impressive $250 million in funding to advance its AI-powered smart glasses.
This significant investment, backed by major players like Sequoia Capital and Spark Capital, marks a pivotal moment for the company as it launches an invite-only iOS beta to showcase its cutting-edge conversational AI.
The Rise of AI in Wearable Tech
Sesame’s mission is to redefine human interaction with technology through natural, humanlike voice interfaces embedded in smart glasses.
The startup, built on the expertise of Oculus veterans, aims to create a seamless blend of augmented reality (AR) and AI, offering users an intuitive and immersive experience unlike any other wearable device on the market.
A Legacy of Innovation
Brendan Iribe’s track record with Oculus, which was acquired by Facebook (now Meta) for $2 billion in 2014, brings a wealth of credibility to Sesame’s ambitious vision.
This history of pioneering virtual reality tech suggests that Sesame could be poised to disrupt the wearable market, much like Oculus did for VR.
Impact on the Tech Industry
The $250M funding round not only highlights investor confidence in Sesame but also signals a growing interest in AI-driven wearables as the next frontier in consumer tech.
With competitors like Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses and Chinese firms entering the AR space, Sesame’s focus on voice interaction could carve out a unique niche in a crowded market.
Looking to the Future
As Sesame rolls out its beta program, the tech community is eager to see how its smart glasses will integrate into daily life, potentially replacing or complementing smartphones for tasks like navigation, communication, and entertainment.
The success of this beta could pave the way for broader adoption of AI wearables, reshaping how we interact with digital assistants and the world around us.
Furthermore, Sesame’s advancements might inspire new standards for privacy and data security in wearables, addressing concerns that have plagued similar technologies in the past.
For now, Sesame stands at the forefront of a tech revolution, with its latest funding round fueling anticipation for a future where AI and AR are seamlessly woven into our everyday experiences.
Andrew Lee
