Blind Veterans Complete Army Ten-Miler with Meta AI Glasses Support

Blind veterans crossed the finish line of the Army Ten-Miler race in Washington D.C. on Sunday, October 11, aided by technology and human support. Meta, along with the non-profit Lighthouse Guild, sponsored a team of eight runners, including three blind U.S. Army veterans: Roosevelt Morring, Rob Sanchas, and Shawntina Gibson.

The veterans utilized Oakley Meta Vanguard AI glasses, designed to enhance their experience by describing surroundings and assisting with navigation. They were also guided by human guides from Achilles International. Thomas Panek, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild, participated and was guided by Kelly Ingham, Meta's Vice President of AI Wearables and Research Partnerships.

The event served as a backdrop for Meta's commitment to donate Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses free of charge to every blind veteran in the United States. Meta stated that over 130,000 American veterans are legally blind and eligible for this support. The initiative aims to provide veterans with AI-powered technology to assist with daily tasks and information access.

Meta and Lighthouse Guild emphasized that technology, human connection, and community can collectively foster greater independence and possibilities for those with vision loss. Lighthouse Guild CEO Thomas Panek noted that veterans should not lose their freedom due to vision loss, and Meta's support enables a more independent life.