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Extended Reality: Visions of the Future

Explore the evolution of virtual reality, augmented reality, smart glasses, and AI-powered wearables through more than 100 groundbreaking devices spanning six decades of innovation.

What if the next computer isn’t in your pocket, but on your face?

“Extended Reality: Visions of the Future” takes visitors on a journey through the technologies that are changing how we see, understand, and interact with the world. From early virtual reality experiments of the 1960s to today’s AI-powered smart glasses, discover how decades of innovation have led to a new generation of wearable computing.

Featuring more than 100 historic and contemporary devices, the exhibition explores virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and the growing role of artificial intelligence in wearable technology.

 

Special Exhibit
October 1, 2026
through March 28, 2027
Interactive XR Demonstrations
Select Saturdays:October 3, 2026
October 24, 2026
November 7, 2026
November 21, 2026
December 19, 2026
January 2, 2027
All Demo times 1–4 p.m.
Must be 13 or older to interact with demo.

Sampling of XR on Display

Google Glass

Wearables visionary Greg Priest-Dorman with Google Glass
Take a Closer Look at Google Glass

Sutherland Head-Mounted Three-Dimensional Display

Take a Closer Look at the Sutherland 3D Display

Vive VR headset

Take a Closer Look at the Vive VR headset

Prototype EyePhone

Take a Closer Look at the Prototype EyePhone

Title

A Closer Look

Discover more of the technologies, ideas, and innovators that shaped today’s XR landscape.

  • Explore devices in a collection created in collaboration with XR experts Bernard Kress and Rachel Tan, co-organizers of Next Computing Frontier.
  • See iconic technologies including Google Glass prototypes, Nintendo Virtual Boy, Apple Vision Pro, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, and Meta Aria research devices.
  • Examine rare wearables used in research, entertainment, industry, accessibility, and everyday life.
    Learn how AI, computer vision, and natural language interaction are advancing wearable computing.
  • Follow a timeline of XR innovation, hear from pioneers, and experience select hands-on demonstrations.

Planning Your Day at CHM

Make the most of your Museum experience, with information on directions, parking, guided tours, other exhibits, visitor amenities, and everything you need for a great day at the Computer History Museum.

Plan Your Visit

Thanks to Our Supporters

The exhibit is made possible through the generous support of Meta, Applied Materials, and Google, whose technologies and innovations are among those shaping the rapidly evolving world of extended reality and wearable computing.

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