Why the "INMO GO3"—Which Displays Translations, an AI Teleprompter, and Navigation Right in Your Field of View—Has Come So Close to Being "Ordinary Glasses"

Real-time translation subtitles are projected right into your field of view, while your script automatically scrolls at your speaking pace. The AI smart glasses "INMO GO3" aim to deliver a seamless hands-free experience, giving you access to the information you need without ever taking out your smartphone.

This time, we spoke with Yohei Nomura and Motochika Nagano of INMO Japan about the technology powering the "INMO GO3"—from its rich array of AI features to the lightweight design, visibility, and privacy considerations that make it suitable for everyday wear.

Driven by AI Advancements, Smart Glasses Enter a New Era

Since the original model debuted in 2023, the "GO" series has evolved across three generations. This journey also mirrors a broader shift in smart glass development, moving its core focus from AR (Augmented Reality) to AI (Artificial Intelligence). While the first and second generations focused primarily on AR capabilities, the third-generation "INMO GO3" fully integrates AI, marking a massive leap forward, recalls Yohei Nomura, CEO of INMO Japan Co., Ltd.

"Features like translation and transcription were available as early as the GO2, but advanced capabilities like an interactive conversational AI assistant only became truly practical with the GO3. Rather than just hardware evolution, it might be more accurate to say that rapid advancements in AI reached a practical level and caught up with what the product demanded."

In the past, asking AI something like "What's a recommended ramen shop?" might yield an off-target answer. However, the rapid advancement of generative AI completely changed the game. As hardware foundations matured, generative AI pushed features like conversational AI assistants into practical reality.

By combining both, the GO3 has expanded its role from traditional AR-centric smart glasses into an AI-driven power device.

A World Without Pulling Out Your Phone: The True Value of Hands-Free

So, what kind of new experience does the AI-evolved "INMO GO3" bring to users? At its core are a seamless hands-free experience and a versatile suite of AI assistant features.

The real-time translation supports 98 languages. When paired with the dedicated "INMO Speaker," it translates the other person's speech into subtitles in your field of view, while projecting your translated voice through the speaker back to them.

In addition to meeting transcription and summarization capabilities, it also features an AI teleprompter that automatically scrolls in sync with your speaking speed. It is designed for various business scenarios, including meetings, presentations, and multilingual conversations.

Beyond business, you can also leverage heads-up visual features like photo translation and turn-by-turn navigation. When traveling, for example, you can navigate while checking essential information without having to hold your smartphone out the entire time.

"This is precisely why we believe glasses are superior as a new interface. We don't consider it ideal for human hands to be tied up. Whether for entertainment or business, giving people more ways to access information while keeping their hands free is the true vision for future devices," says Nomura.

Designed to Look Like "Ordinary Glasses," Not a Clunky Gadget

Despite high expectations for futuristic capabilities, many smart glasses introduced over the years vanished without ever gaining widespread adoption. Motochika Nagano from the sales department analyzes that one major reason past products failed to take off was their lack of wearability.

"Previous AI and AR glasses tended to feature eccentric designs. Furthermore, our internal research suggests that around 50 grams is the sweet spot for a weight that feels comfortable for long wear. Anything heavier makes it tough for people to take them outside and wear them as part of their daily routine."

The goal for the INMO GO3 was to create a cutting-edge device that still feels just like a pair of "ordinary glasses." The display utilizes a "waveguide system" that guides light through the inside of the lens to project images. This enables a thin optical design, resulting in a thickness close to regular eyewear and a lightweight frame weighing approximately 58g.

The magnetic external battery is not only lightweight but also designed for easy on-the-go charging. Additionally, the front-and-back weight balance—often a challenge in previous models—has been refined to reduce strain during extended wear.

In terms of design, the surface features a matte finish that resists fingerprints and tempers the metallic sheen typical of tech gadgets. Furthermore, it prioritizes a comfortable fit by adopting metal nose pads tailored to Asian facial features.

An Optical Design That Displays Clear Text Without Obstructing Vision

Another challenge with smart glasses is displaying digital information clearly without blocking the view of real-world surroundings.

"The green display light resists interference from natural ambient light and appears vividly to the human eye, ensuring high visibility. Furthermore, to maintain clarity across various environments—from bright outdoor sunlight to dimly lit rooms—it supports a high brightness level of up to 1,500 nits." (Nagano)

Furthermore, by optimizing the display area—which was rectangular in previous models—to match the human field of view, information naturally enters your sight without requiring large eye movements. Thanks to this optical design, users can easily check necessary information right in their field of vision while taking in real-world scenery.

Privacy Protection Features for Building Trust

As a device meant for daily wear, privacy considerations are essential. Drawing lessons from the history of camera-equipped glasses being misused, the INMO GO3 incorporates features designed to build trust between users and those around them.

One such feature is a white LED indicator that lights up whenever the camera is recording. This lets people nearby know that recording is taking place.

"Moreover, if someone intentionally covers this indicator with a finger, the camera function itself automatically disables to prevent misuse. Privacy is taken very seriously not just in Japan, but worldwide, so this feature was included to give users peace of mind." (Nomura)

The INMO GO3 isn't meant to completely replace smartphones. However, being able to view translations, navigation, and AI teleprompter information right in your line of sight without pulling out your phone is a unique value that only smart glasses can offer.

Beyond its AI features, with its 58g lightweight design, clear visibility, and privacy safeguards, the INMO GO3 brings us much closer to an everyday wearable device. The technology to turn sight itself into an information interface is steadily becoming a reality.