Runner Uses Meta Glasses to Record Road Crossings in Under a Second
Nick switched to wearing Meta and Oakley smart eyewear to capture instant video evidence during runs, replacing the need for a handheld phone.
By Kwame Silva ·
Nick has repurposed Meta AI glasses as a personal dashcam for their daily runs. The writer at 9to5Google described the setup as a practical solution for documenting near-misses on the road. By using the built-in camera, Nick can start recording video in less than a second when a car approaches.
Nick took up running this summer, a habit that surprised them. They noted that friends questioned why they would run when nothing was chasing them. However, Nick admitted to speeding up when crossing roads, even at marked crosswalks, to avoid potential collisions with vehicles. This safety concern drove the search for a better way to document incidents compared to standard smartphone methods.
Holding a phone while running proved difficult. Storing it in a pocket or armband did not allow for quick access to film an accident. Nick realized the camera was already on their face. They had previously worn Meta glasses on every run to shoot short clips for Strava with smartwatch health stats overlaid on the video. Adding extra clips to the routine required minimal effort.
The current setup involves wearing either a Meta Nova pair or an Oakley Meta HSTN pair. When a car approaches, Nick holds the camera button to begin recording. After crossing the road, they press the button again to stop the clip. The glasses are configured to record in three-minute segments, ensuring footage does not cut off before a potential issue unfolds.
Footage remains stored on the glasses until they reconnect to a phone. The files then sync automatically. Nick described the process as effortless and effective insurance. They stated that if buying a new pair today, they would likely choose a model with a camera. Nick acknowledged some negative sentiment about cameras in glasses but argued that the utility outweighs the criticism.
For other runners considering the switch, Nick recommended starting with the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses. They cited the tight fit and runner-friendly style as primary advantages. For those on a budget, Nick suggested the cheaper Meta-branded pairs without Ray-Ban or Oakley logos. They noted there is no functional difference among Meta's latest models. Those avoiding Meta entirely should look at Rokid AI Glasses, which Nick identified as the best alternative they have used.
