The world of eyewear is changing fast. One of the biggest shifts right now is the rise of smart glasses, eyewear that mixes style with technology. From built-in cameras to voice-activated AI, these next-generation frames are bringing digital experiences to your face.
But while big players like Meta and Google race to make the future wearable, at Good Citizens we’re proudly staying simple, analogue and sustainable.
What’s Driving the Smart Glasses Boom
Smart glasses are part of a fast-growing category known as wearable tech. They combine fashion, function and connectivity in one frame. Industry reports predict the global smart glasses market will climb from around USD 1.9 billion in 2024 to more than USD 8 billion by 2030.
A few key forces are fuelling the rise:
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Big-tech investment: Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses now offer hands-free photo, video and AI assistance. Google continues to test prototypes for workplace and real-world applications after its early Google Glass experiments.
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Advances in miniaturisation: Batteries, optics and chips have shrunk, allowing tech to fit inside standard-looking frames.
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AI and AR integration: Augmented reality and voice-driven interfaces make digital experiences more natural.
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Lifestyle demand: People want hands-free convenience, real-time translation, navigation and content creation.
This mix of technology and fashion is turning smart glasses into one of the most talked about innovations in wearable tech.
What Smart Glasses Look Like Today
Right now, smart glasses sit in two camps: enterprise tools and consumer lifestyle gadgets. Meta, Google, Xiaomi and several start-ups are developing versions that can take calls, record video or project data. The challenge is making them look and feel like regular eyewear while still being useful and comfortable.
Designers are working hard to balance aesthetics and tech. Glasses are slimming down, battery life is improving and lenses are getting smarter. Market forecasts suggest millions of pairs could ship annually by the end of the decade.
Our Take: Staying Simple, Staying Human
At Good Citizens, we admire innovation but believe not every product needs a screen or chip. While others digitise, we’re keeping our eyewear simple, analogue and focused on good design that lasts.
Here’s why:
1. Simplicity and award-winning design detail
We believe real innovation is about solving problems beautifully. Our frames are powered by purpose, not processors. Each pair is made in Sydney using our five-part modular design, which lets people repair, customise and recycle parts in seconds without tools.
2. Designed from end-of-life backwards
Most products are designed forward. We start at the end. From day one, we think about how each part will live again. Every frame front, arm, clip and case is designed for separation, cleaning and regrinding into new frames.
End-of-life recycling for smart glasses with electronics would be nearly impossible. Wires, chips and batteries make circular design complex and resource-heavy. Staying analogue lets us keep our system circular.
3. Customisable, repairable, timeless
Our five-part system makes each pair modular and personal. Change colours, swap arms or replace a clip, no need to buy a new frame. This design freedom keeps glasses in use longer and reduces waste. That’s our definition of smart.
Screen free Frames
We’re not against technology, it’s exciting to see what Meta, Google and others are building. But we believe sustainability and simplicity go together. By avoiding built-in electronics, we can focus on:
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Quality materials and award-winning craftsmanship
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Repairability and reuse
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Local manufacturing and inclusive employment
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Keeping eyewear circular, not disposable
For us, real progress means reducing complexity, not adding more of it.
The Smart Future and Our Simple One
Smart glasses are here to stay. They’ll get lighter, faster and more capable. For many, they’ll be the next big step in personal tech.
But for us, the future isn’t about adding more screens, it’s about taking away the unnecessary. We’ll keep focusing on circular design, repairability and making eyewear that’s good for people and the planet.
Sometimes the smartest design is the simplest one.
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