0.9s: Smart Glasses Give Runners Instant Proof of Street Crossings

Smart glasses now capture video of street crossings in less than one second.

Nick, a writer for 9to5Google, began running this summer and developed a fear of traffic. They frequently speed up to avoid vehicles, even when crossing at designated crosswalks. This anxiety led to a practical problem: how does a person on foot document a potential accident without holding a phone?

The solution is the camera already built into their eyewear. Nick wears Meta Nova or Oakley Meta HSTN glasses on regular runs. These devices were originally used to record short clips for Strava with health data overlays. Now, they serve a dual purpose as personal dashcams.

The process requires no new equipment. When a car approaches, Nick holds the camera button to start recording. The start time is under one second. After crossing the road, they press the button again to stop. The glasses record in three-minute segments, ensuring the video continues long enough to capture the full incident.

Nick describes the system as effortless insurance. Footage remains on the glasses until the user reconnects to their phone. At that point, the files sync automatically. This method eliminates the need for armbands or pockets, which Nick found too slow for emergency recording.

For runners considering this setup, Nick recommends the Oakley Meta HSTN glasses for their tight fit. Cheaper Meta-branded models offer the same functionality at a lower cost. For those avoiding the Meta ecosystem, Rokid AI Glasses are the suggested alternative.