Facebook’s parent company Meta has acquired Luxexcel, the Netherlands-based creator of 3D printed lenses, marking the social media company’s latest move in the smart glasses market.
Founded in 2009, Luxexcel uses 3D printing to make prescription lenses for glasses. More recently, the company has focused its efforts on smart lenses, which can be printed with integrated technology like LCD displays and holographic film.
The acquisition was announced in late December 2022 and will enable Meta to produce prescription augmented reality (AR) glasses using lenses produced with Luxexcel’s proprietary 3D printing technology, VisionPlatform 7.
VisionPlatform 7 is technology-agnostic and integrates objects such as waveguides, holographic optical elements, and liquid crystal foils during the 3D printing process. The platform includes high-tech hardware, proprietary materials, and advanced software to create prescription smart eyewear on-demand.
Luxexcel won the ‘Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality’ category at the Prism Awards 2022 for VisionPlatform. The Prism Awards provide recognition to companies that are creating products that make a difference, solve problems, and improve life through photonics.
In September 2021, Meta unveiled Ray-Ban Stories, smart glasses it produced with EssilorLuxottica, which went on to win prestigious design competitions.
A Meta spokesperson said the company was “excited that the Luxexcel team has joined Meta, deepening the existing partnership between the two companies”.
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