MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – XREAL has officially unveiled "Project Aura," a next-generation optical see-through extended reality (XR) device, marking a significant advancement in spatial computing. Developed in strategic partnership with Google and Qualcomm Technologies, Project Aura is designed to run on the Android XR platform, aiming to redefine immersive wearable computing. The announcement has generated considerable buzz, with social media users like "zach 🏴" remarking, > "This is not just an overlay 👀👀👀 247 AURA," highlighting the device's advanced capabilities.
Project Aura distinguishes itself by offering a robust spatial computing experience that moves beyond basic augmented reality overlays. The device integrates Google's Gemini AI and features a large field-of-view, aiming to deliver cinematic visuals. Unlike previous models, Aura is designed as a standalone spatial computing device, powered by a dedicated Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset housed in a separate, tethered computing puck.
This collaboration represents a strategic push by Google into the augmented reality and spatial computing landscape, leveraging its Android XR platform and extensive resources. XREAL, a global leader in lightweight AR glasses, brings its proven hardware expertise, while Qualcomm provides optimized Snapdragon XR chipsets. This partnership positions the trio to compete in an increasingly crowded market alongside major players like Meta and Apple.
The unveiling of Project Aura at Google I/O 2025 also served as a call to action for developers. XREAL, Google, and Qualcomm are inviting the developer community to envision and build new applications and use cases for this advanced XR generation. While specific pricing and an exact release date are yet to be announced, XREAL has indicated that Project Aura is expected to be available to consumers in 2026.