Meta is doubling down on its collaboration with Ray-Ban’s parent company, EssilorLuxottica, to produce more smart glasses in the coming years. The two companies have extended their partnership by another 10 years, building on the foundation they set in 2019 with the release of two generations of Ray-Ban-branded smart eyewear. This new agreement signals their intent to develop multiple generations of smart eyewear over the next decade.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Meta and EssilorLuxottica’s renewed partnership underscores their ambition to make smart glasses a central part of the connected world. The Ray-Ban Meta Glasses already offer a range of functions: users can make calls, take photos, record videos, share media, identify landmarks, and listen to music. Despite these features, the glasses have not yet replaced the functionality of smartphones or earbuds, making them more of a niche gadget for those who enjoy capturing moments on the go.
Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica, expressed excitement about the extended partnership, calling it an “important milestone” and stating that their work with Meta is just beginning. He emphasized the potential for smart glasses to become a gateway to the connected world. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg echoed this enthusiasm, envisioning glasses as the next major tech platform that also carries fashion appeal.
The smart glasses are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon recently mentioned that the chipmaker is collaborating with Google and Samsung on another smart glasses project, indicating a growing interest in this technology among major tech players.
TF Summary: What’s Next?
With a decade-long commitment to developing smart eyewear, Meta and EssilorLuxottica are poised to push the boundaries of this technology further. The partnership aims to bring smart glasses closer to becoming a mainstream tech accessory, blending functionality with style. As Qualcomm and other tech giants explore similar innovations, the race to define the future of smart eyewear is heating up. Expect more developments and product releases in the smart glasses space as these collaborations evolve.
