An exclusive interview with co-founder Kenneth Fan reveals the shared vision and deliberate design choices that make Ally Solos a revolutionary step in accessible technology.
For our August community webinar, we were thrilled to welcome a special guest, Kenneth Fan, co-founder of Solos. This was more than a product announcement; it was a conversation that showed us the heart behind the technology. Ken's insights proved that the future of accessible AI is built on a foundation of comfort, trust, and a true understanding of the people it serves.
Ken told us that the journey for Solos began not with a high-tech vision, but with a simple truth: a great device must first be a great pair of glasses. He explained that early versions, like those for cyclists, prioritized a high-tech display, which made them heavy and power-intensive. This led to a key strategic pivot.
"We decided to make all-day wearable glasses first that are comfortable and look great as eyewear," Ken shared.
This human-first approach is the core of Solos' design. According to Ken, their brilliant modular system separates the stylish front frames from the tech-filled temples. This not only keeps the device stunningly light—less than 50 grams—but also allows for interchangeable battery stems. It's an intentional design choice that gives you the freedom to go about your day without feeling weighed down or worrying about running out of power.
This shared vision for a truly human-centered product made for an inevitable partnership. Ken explained that Solos realized they couldn’t tackle every use case on their own, especially with the rise of new AI. He shared that they sought a partner who truly understood a specific community's needs, someone who wouldn't just add a feature but would build a genuine solution.
That's where Envision came in. Ken said his team chose Ally because it's designed with accessibility at its core, not as an afterthought.
During the interview, the difference became clear. Karthik shared how Ally's AI is built to be a transparent and helpful companion. Unlike some mainstream devices, Ally doesn't censor information. When you ask it to read a document, like a bank statement or a medical form, it reads the full text without holding anything back. Karthik also explained that with Ally Solos Glasses, you can expect an AI that provides full scene descriptions and identifies people, empowering you with a deeper understanding of the world around you.
This commitment extends to your privacy. Unlike many mainstream products, Ally is built on a foundation of trust. Your data is handled with strict confidentiality, and we default to keeping it private. As Karthik noted, you have to explicitly opt in to share it.
Ken emphasized that the glasses’ lightweight design is possible because they use a low-power Bluetooth connection to offload heavy processing to your phone. This approach allows the glasses to be comfortable while still leveraging the powerful, specialized Ally app. Plus, every pre-order includes premium support, so you'll always have a team ready to help if you have a question.
Ally Solos Glasses are the culmination of this journey. They blend the elegant, lightweight hardware from Solos with the human-first AI from Ally, offering a seamless experience that feels as natural as talking to a friend. With upcoming features like shortcuts for recurring tasks and Document Guidance, they're designed to be a quiet, capable companion wherever you go.
Want to hear the full story, including a live Q&A with the community?
Watch or listen to the webinar in full.
Don’t miss our special pre-order offer. Head over to our website and pre-order your Ally Solos Glasses to get them in time for October shipping. It’s a step towards a more joyful, connected, and independent you.
Copyright © Envision 2025. All rights reserved.
