Meta and EssilorLuxottica Extend Partnership for Smart Eyewear into the Next Decade

Meta and EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, have announced an extension of their partnership into the next decade. The two companies have collaborated since 2019, resulting in two generations of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, and the new agreement aims to produce more "multi-generational smart eyewear products."

The first generation of these smart glasses, launched in late 2021 just before Meta rebranded from Facebook, was called Ray-Ban Stories. While the $300 sunglasses featured a bulkier design that maintained the classic Ray-Ban aesthetic—without any Facebook branding—they received mixed reviews. They provided decent audio quality through small speakers but had a camera that performed better in brighter conditions. Concerns arose regarding privacy, particularly related to data sharing and the default setting for audio transcriptions.

In 2023, the release of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses garnered a more favorable response, earning an 85 in reviews. This updated model features slimmer frames, hands-free photo messaging, and the ability to livestream on Instagram with an improved 12MP ultra-wide camera. Additionally, it boasts enhanced microphones and sound quality, even at higher volumes, and the charging case resembles a classic Ray-Ban pouch.

Originally equipped with an AI assistant, the smart glasses now utilize Multimodal AI, which allows the assistant to perceive and understand its environment in real-time. Users can request identification of objects, such as a dog's breed, information on landmarks, and translations of road signs in different languages. New frame designs are also available, starting at $300.

In July, media reports suggested that Meta may consider acquiring a five percent stake in EssilorLuxottica, according to CEO Francesco Milleri. However, the potential for this purchase remains uncertain, as it was not mentioned in the announcement regarding the extended partnership.