Smart Glasses

A clip-on smart device with a transparent display that the user can attach to any pair of glasses :)

Smart glasses controlled by voice commands with features like time display, live translation, and navigation — seamlessly blending digital information with your surroundings.

Motivation

  • Smart glasses are wearable computers that integrate digital data with the physical world through augmented reality, allowing users to access information hands-free. You can perform tasks like checking time, viewing live translation, or getting navigation instructions while staying engaged with your environment.

System

Feature List

Feature Description
Voice command Navigate functions hands-free using voice commands.
Display time Easily check the current time without looking at your phone or watch.
Give direction Access turn-by-turn navigation from Apple Maps, projected onto glasses while walking or driving.
Live translation / transcription Instantly translate spoken language or transcribe conversations.
Show weather Get live weather information (temperature and humidity).

Technical Components

components
Component Description
Microcontroller Raspberry Pi Zero 2W
Microphone Adafruit I2S MEMS Microphone Breakout
OLED Screen 0.96 Inch OLED Module 12864 128x64
Charger PowerBoost 500 Charger
Battery Li-Po Battery 3.7v 1200mAh

Wiring Guide

raspberry pi pins
Component Connection to Raspberry Pi Zero W
OLED Display GND → GND
VCC → 3.3V
SDA → SDA (GPIO 2)
SCL → SCL (GPIO 3)
Adafruit Microphone Breakout SEL → GND
3V → 3.3V
GND → GND
BCLK → Pin 12 (GPIO 18)
DOUT → Pin 38 (GPIO 20)
LRCL → Pin 35 (GPIO 19)
Adafruit PowerBoost Charger 500c 5V → 5V (back of pi)
GND → GND (back of pi)
Switch Middle pin → EN (on Charger)
Outer pin → GND (on Charger)

Prototype

flow diagram prototype

Our prototype is a working computer that receives input from the microphone, transcribes the audio, and displays information like direction, translation, or AI response based on which button we click on the mobile app.

3D print

3D printing the case (designed using Onshape)

Results

result 1

The smart glasses project successfully combined cutting-edge technology into a wearable device, offering real-time assistance in various practical situations. One of the standout features was the integration of a large language model (LLM) that allowed users to ask questions and receive helpful, context-aware answers directly on the heads-up display (HUD). This feature provided seamless access to information without disrupting daily tasks, making the glasses an intuitive and practical tool.

Another significant achievement was the navigation system. By displaying turn-by-turn directions on the HUD, the glasses allowed users to navigate unfamiliar areas safely and efficiently without needing to glance at a phone or other devices. This hands-free approach proved especially useful in busy environments or while on the move, enhancing both convenience and safety during use. Adding live translation and transcription features further expanded the glasses’ functionality. The device could transcribe spoken words with impressive accuracy, even in noisy settings, and translate multiple languages in real-time. These features opened up possibilities for meaningful communication in multilingual environments and allowed users to effortlessly capture important spoken content, such as during meetings or lectures.

result 2

Testing the glasses in real-world scenarios showed how effectively the system worked. Users found the HUD clear and easy to read, appreciated the speed of the translations, and noted how quickly the LLM responded to their questions. These features worked together to make the device feel both intuitive and reliable. Many testers also highlighted how useful the glasses were for navigating new locations or bridging language barriers in real-time conversations.

From a technical standpoint, the glasses performed exceptionally well. The LLM consistently provided answers in under 6 seconds, while translation accuracy was high across several languages.

Overall, the smart glasses project demonstrated how wearable technology can solve everyday challenges and improve productivity. By offering hands-free operation and AI-driven features, the glasses not only made users’ lives easier but also opened the door for broader applications in areas like travel, education, and accessibility. This project is a step forward in wearable tech, and there’s enormous potential to build on this work in the future—whether it’s adding more languages, incorporating augmented reality, or further enhancing usability.

References

Components: How to Make Smart Glasses!

3D print design: How To Make Smart Glasses DIY at Home

Our Team

Ritwik Goel (rg3546)

Computer Engineering '24

Ester Tsai (eyt2112)

Data Science '25

Zhiyi Zhang (zz3274)

Data Science '25

Contact

Ritwik Goel: rg3546@columbia.edu
Ester Tsai: eyt2112@columbia.edu
Zhiyi Zhang: zz3274@columbia.edu

Columbia University Department of Electrical Engineering
Instructor: Professsor Xiaofan (Fred) Jiang