In a new blog post, Vuzix is predicting (or perhaps hoping) that smart glasses are poised to follow smartphones and tablets to become the next mainstream consumer device. In that regard, the company is placing its faith in Gen Z, implying that the younger generation (those born between 1996 and 2010) will search for more convenient ways to access the internet as they formally join the online community in the next four years.

The crux of the argument is fairly straightforward. Vuzix suggests that Gen Z prioritizes practicality above all other considerations, and will therefore be quick to adopt a more seamless, handsfree device that still offers all of the utility of a smartphone.

The short blog post doesn’t offer much in the way of supporting evidence, but Vuzix does point out that tablets were largely dismissed when they were first introduced and have now become a fixture in homes and offices around the world. The company is hoping that the same will be true for smart glasses, especially as commercial 5G networks continue to gain traction.

If that proves to be the case, Vuzix is well-positioned to capitalize on the emerging market. The company’s technology recently received the spotlight treatment from multiple partners at CES 2020, while the security company SWORD has placed a $7.1 million order for 10,000 pairs of Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses.