In the fast-evolving world of professional darts, where milliseconds and millimeters separate champions from challengers, 19-year-old sensation Luke Littler is once again pushing boundaries. Fresh off claiming back-to-back world titles—including the sport’s first-ever £1 million top prize—the young phenom known as “Luke The Nuke” has added a cutting-edge twist to his training regimen: an AI-powered “trainer” in the form of high-tech smart glasses.
The device in question is the Oakley Meta HSTN, a sleek pair of voice-activated shades priced at £479. Equipped with a built-in microphone, speakers, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a forward-facing camera, these glasses go far beyond typical eyewear. They capture first-person point-of-view (POV) footage of every throw, recording the arc, speed, and precision of Littler’s darts in real time. Users can even speak commands like “Hey Meta, how am I doing?” to receive instant AI-driven analysis and tailored suggestions for improvement. It’s like having a personal coach perched on your nose, dissecting technique on the fly.
Littler, who has dominated the darts scene since bursting onto the professional circuit as a teenager, shared an electrifying glimpse of the technology in action via his Instagram. In the clip, he stands in his practice room—dartboard emblazoned with his signature “Luke The Nuke” branding—and announces the arrival of his new gear: “I’ve just had these Oakley Meta glasses delivered to me. I’m going to go down from a leg of 501.” What follows is pure fireworks: three consecutive 140s to leave a finish, sealed with a one-dart double-16. Undeterred, he declares, “I’m just going to try and hit 180,” and obliges by drilling all three darts into the treble-20 for the maximum score, erupting with a triumphant “One hundred and 80!”
The real value, however, shines through in Littler’s own enthusiastic breakdown of how the glasses elevate his game. “With my Oakley Meta HSTNs I get a proper POV recording of my throws,” he explained. “It’s class for training. I get to properly watch back how my darts fly so I can fine tune my throwing technique and get it spot on for competition season.” He elaborated further: “Most of the time I do look back at my performances. I look back at the 180s, the averages and most importantly the finishing. But with the Oakley Meta glasses I can go back and see what’s going right and see what’s going wrong with my throw from a new perspective so I can change my technique for the future.”
This innovation arrives at a pivotal moment for Littler. Just days earlier, he suffered a rare setback in the opening night of the 2026 BetMGM Premier League Darts in Newcastle, falling 6-4 in the quarter-finals to Dutch rising star Gian van Veen. It marked only the eighth time in 33 Premier League appearances that Littler had dropped his first match of the night. Former pro Matt Edgar pointed out the unforgiving nature of the short race-to-six format: with minimal room for recovery from a sluggish start, even the world’s best can appear “vulnerable” under pressure.
The timing suggests Littler is leaving no stone unturned—or in this case, no throw unanalyzed—as he aims to reclaim momentum and extend his reign. The glasses not only provide granular feedback on stance, release, and trajectory but also offer a fresh viewpoint that traditional video reviews can’t match. By seeing exactly how his darts leave his hand from his own eyes, he gains unprecedented insight into subtle flaws or strengths that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Fans have embraced the reveal with typical darts-community energy. Social media lit up with praise and playful banter: one admirer quipped, “You should take up darts mate, you’re decent,” while another marveled, “Amazing view.” Comments like “It’s even more INCREDIBLE when you see it from YOUR view” and “Keep cooking champ” flooded in, alongside lighthearted challenges such as “Dare you to wear them at the Premier League on Thursday.” Even an Oakley spokesman weighed in, highlighting how Littler is “analysing his performance while treating fans to a never-before-seen, first-person POV of his practice sessions,” running through 180s, 501 legs, and big finishes to showcase elite-level refinement.
This move underscores Littler’s growing alliance with tech and lifestyle brands. The partnership with Meta (via Oakley) joins an impressive roster that includes Target Darts, Xbox, Boohoo, KP Nuts, Sky Sports, and Riyadh Season—deals fueled by his meteoric rise since 2023. From qualifying for the PDC World Championship at 16 to becoming a household name with record-breaking viewership and endorsements, Littler has transformed darts into a platform for innovation.
As the competition season intensifies, this AI-assisted edge could prove decisive. In a sport where mental sharpness and technical perfection define greatness, Littler’s willingness to integrate futuristic tools signals his ambition knows no limits. Whether it’s blasting 180s on demand or dissecting every dart’s flight path, the young champion is proving that even at the pinnacle, there’s always room to get better—one smart throw at a time.
Leave a Reply