Meta AI Glasses Help Blind Veterans Complete Army Ten-Miler
News related to:Lighthouse Guild · 2 min read
WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- On Sunday, October 11, in Washington, D.C., Meta and Lighthouse Guild teamed up to support a group of blind U.S. Army veterans as they participated in the Army Ten-Miler, a race known for its rain or shine conditions. The event, which took place in the nation’s capital, saw eight runners, including Roosevelt Morring, Rob Sanchas, and Shawntina Gibson, cross the finish line with the aid of Meta’s AI glasses and human guides from Achilles International.
Lighthouse Guild, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing care, community, and technology to the blind and low-vision community, collaborated with Meta to enhance the race experience for the blind runners. Each participant was equipped with a pair of Oakley Meta Vanguard AI glasses, designed to assist with reading documents, identifying surroundings, and completing everyday tasks. These glasses also enabled the runners to navigate the course more independently.
The race served as a powerful backdrop for Meta’s commitment to providing free Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses to every blind veteran in America. According to Thomas Panek, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild, more than 130,000 American veterans are legally blind and eligible for these glasses. The initiative aims to empower veterans who have given so much in service to their country with technology that can assist in their daily lives.
For Panek, the Army Ten-Miler was a personal milestone. Earlier this year, he became the first blind person to complete a half marathon wearing Meta AI glasses at the NYC Half, demonstrating the technology’s potential as a tool for greater independence and mobility. This event further highlighted the technology’s capabilities and its potential to transform the lives of those with vision loss.
Rob Sanchas, a U.S. Army veteran and member of the Meta and Lighthouse Guild team, shared his experience.
The Army Ten-Miler was not just a race; it was an opportunity for these veterans to return to the community they served and experience technology designed to give back to those who have given so much. The event showcased how technology, human connection, and community can work together to create greater independence and possibility for people who are blind or have vision loss.
Meta’s Kelly Ingham, Vice President of AI Wearables and Research Partnerships, highlighted the importance of making this technology accessible.
The collaboration between Meta and Lighthouse Guild underscored the potential of AI technology to enhance the lives of those with vision loss. The Army Ten-Miler served as a testament to the commitment of both organizations to support blind veterans and provide them with the tools they need to lead independent lives.