EssilorLuxottica SA , the world’s largest eyewear manufacturer, is strengthening its presence in the growing smart glasses segment through a partnership with Meta , the parent company of Facebook . The collaboration focuses on producing and marketing AI-powered eyewear, which both companies see as an essential step in consumer technology. EssilorLuxottica , known for brands such as Ray-Ban , Oakley, and Persol, is combining its design and production experience with Meta’s technological strengths. The partnership aims to develop wearable devices that some industry observers believe could become as common as smartphones, such as the iPhone.
At Bloomberg’s Italian-language podcast, “Quello Che i Soldi Non Dicono,” EssilorLuxottica’s chairman and CEO, Francesco Milleri , said: “Glasses, which have long been seen as prosthetics and later as fashion accessories, are poised to become the central device in people’s lives, possibly replacing smartphones. We could foresee in the near future hundreds of millions of smart glasses interconnected with each other, and with the people who wear them creating huge communities.”
Milleri also announced that the company is increasing its production capability for the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. This capacity is planned to reach 10 million units annually by the end of next year. This expanded production could also be utilised for other smart eyewear products, including EssilorLuxottica's Nuance Audio glasses, which incorporate hearing assistance technology.
Milleri agrees with Mark Zuckerberg ’s vision
Last month, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display, which includes a screen in the right lens that displays text messages, video calls, turn-by-turn directions, and visual results from queries to Meta's AI service.
The display functions as a viewfinder for the camera on a user's phone and shows music playback information. Zuckerberg has already predicted that people will perform more tasks on their smart glasses over time.
In March, Zuckerberg said: “We’re going to get to this point, probably sometime in the 2030s, where you have your phone with you, but it’s going to stay in your pocket more.”
Milleri, who works directly with Zuckerberg on the smart glasses project, said EssilorLuxottica must use its strengths by cooperating with leaders in other industries.
“Only a collaborative model — a networked company — can maintain leadership in innovation and technology,” he added.
At Bloomberg’s Italian-language podcast, “Quello Che i Soldi Non Dicono,” EssilorLuxottica’s chairman and CEO, Francesco Milleri , said: “Glasses, which have long been seen as prosthetics and later as fashion accessories, are poised to become the central device in people’s lives, possibly replacing smartphones. We could foresee in the near future hundreds of millions of smart glasses interconnected with each other, and with the people who wear them creating huge communities.”
Milleri also announced that the company is increasing its production capability for the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. This capacity is planned to reach 10 million units annually by the end of next year. This expanded production could also be utilised for other smart eyewear products, including EssilorLuxottica's Nuance Audio glasses, which incorporate hearing assistance technology.
Milleri agrees with Mark Zuckerberg ’s vision
Last month, Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display, which includes a screen in the right lens that displays text messages, video calls, turn-by-turn directions, and visual results from queries to Meta's AI service.
The display functions as a viewfinder for the camera on a user's phone and shows music playback information. Zuckerberg has already predicted that people will perform more tasks on their smart glasses over time.
In March, Zuckerberg said: “We’re going to get to this point, probably sometime in the 2030s, where you have your phone with you, but it’s going to stay in your pocket more.”
Milleri, who works directly with Zuckerberg on the smart glasses project, said EssilorLuxottica must use its strengths by cooperating with leaders in other industries.
“Only a collaborative model — a networked company — can maintain leadership in innovation and technology,” he added.
You may also like
Travis Kelce's relative's unlikely reaction to raunchy Taylor Swift song
Haryana IAS Officers' Association demands thorough investigation into IPS Y Puran Kumar's death case
India announces new healthcare projects for Afghanistan, gifts 20 ambulances during Taliban minister's visit
Andhra Pradesh clinches $10 billion Google investment
Pilots' body demands grounding of Air India 787s after electrical snags
