EssilorLuxottica has entered into a long-term agreement with Meta Platforms to develop “multi-generational smart eyewear products” into the next decade.
The two companies have been collaborating since 2019, producing two generations of Ray-Ban branded smart glasses.
In a statement, EssilorLuxottica said those glasses broke the barriers to adoption and redefined the potential for consumer wearables.
“By striking the ultimate balance between form and function, using EssilorLuxottica’s know-how in the industry and its global network of retail and wholesale locations, together with Meta’s advancements in technology, Ray-Ban Meta glasses have garnered excitement and widespread adoption.”
The glasses are now in Australia, as well as the US, Canada, the UK, and many European countries including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
“Over the past six decades, EssilorLuxottica has led the transformation and modernisation of the eyewear and eyecare industry, positioning among the world’s leading innovators,” said Mr Francesco Milleri, chairman and CEO EssilorLuxottica.
“We invest hundreds of millions every year in R&D to create products that improve the quality of life for billions of people, and impact how they see the world and each other.
Mr Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta, was proud of the work with EssilorLuxottica so far and excited about the long-term future of the relationship.
“We have the opportunity to turn “glasses into the next major technology platform, and make it fashionable in the process”.
The latest generation of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, introduced by EssilorLuxottica and Meta in 2023, have advanced technology built into Ray-Ban’s iconic frames. They give consumers the ability to make phone calls, capture and share photos and videos, listen to music, and livestream content.
In other news from EssilorLuxottica, the company revealed plans to move into a new global headquarters in Paris, expected to open late 2027.
Located at Place Valhubert, in the heart of the lively Austerlitz district -Paris 13e-, boasting a tech start-up and global digital company scene, the new headquarters will bring together in a single building about 2,000 people, regrouping teams from departments currently spread across different locations in the Grand Paris area.
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