Camera-Equipped Earbuds Could Be the Next Big Leap in AI Wearables

Earbuds with built-in cameras could become the next major development in wearable technology. Audio brand Cleer showcased the concept at a Qualcomm event in Maui, Hawaii, featuring earbuds that use cameras as environmental sensors rather than for taking photos or recording videos. Qualcomm says the technology could help AI combine voice and visual information to offer features such as real-time translation, context-aware assistants and personalised audio experiences.

The concept is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2 platform, which is designed for AI-enabled hearables. The chip is reportedly 30% smaller, offers twice the AI performance and up to 40% better power efficiency than its predecessor. It also includes Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, allowing compatible wearables to communicate directly with cloud services. However, Cleer and Qualcomm have not announced whether these camera-equipped earbuds will become a commercial product.