Meta is increasing its investment in the smart glasses sector with a £2.7 billion stake in EssilorLuxottica. This move signals Meta's commitment to the growing market for wearable technology, particularly AI-integrated eyewear. The collaboration aims to combine Meta's AI and spatial computing advancements with EssilorLuxottica's eyewear design and lens technology.
Building on the success of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, the partnership has already produced the Oakley Meta performance AI glasses, showcasing advancements like Ultra HD 3K recording, improved battery life, and Oakley's PRIZM lens technology. The smart glasses market is projected to expand significantly, with analysts predicting a 60% compound annual growth rate through 2029. This growth is driven by increasing demand for AI-enhanced wearables and the potential for smart glasses to offer hands-free experiences in various professional, medical, and industrial applications.
Meta's investment could lead to further innovations in smart glass technology, including customisation through 3D printing and integration of features like real-time data visualisation and AI-powered voice interaction. As the smart glasses market evolves, competition is expected to intensify, with major tech companies like Xiaomi, Samsung and Transsion entering the arena.
