EssilorLuxottica and Meta Extend Partnership for Smart Eyewear Development
EssilorLuxottica has announced a significant extension of its partnership with Meta Platforms, marking a new long-term agreement to collaborate on developing multi-generational smart eyewear products. This partnership began in 2019 and has already led to two successful generations of Ray-Ban branded smart glasses that have redefined the wearable technology landscape.
The collaboration aims to blend EssilorLuxottica’s expertise in eyewear with Meta’s technological advancements, creating products that balance style and functionality. The Ray-Ban Meta glasses have achieved mainstream success, gaining popularity across various markets including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several European nations such as Germany, France, and Italy.
“Over the past six decades, EssilorLuxottica has led the transformation and modernization of the eyewear and eyecare industry, positioning among the world’s leading innovators. We invest hundreds of millions every year in R&D to create products that improve quality of life for billions of people, and impact how they see the world and each other. The incredible work we’ve done with Meta, still in its early stages, has already proven to be an important milestone in our journey to making glasses the gateway to the connected world. I would like to thank the EssilorLuxottica team and our Chief Wearables Officer Rocco Basilico together with the Meta team for the great job done. We look forward to continuing to chart the future of the category together,” said Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica.
“I'm proud of the work we've done with EssilorLuxottica so far, and I'm excited about our long term roadmap ahead. We have the opportunity to turn glasses into the next major technology platform, and make it fashionable in the process," said Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Meta.
The latest iteration of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, launched in Fall 2023, features integrated technology that allows users to make phone calls, capture photos and videos, listen to music, and livestream content—all hands-free. The recent addition of Meta AI enhances user experience by providing tools for inspiration and connectivity.
EssilorLuxottica continues to lead in the design and distribution of ophthalmic lenses and eyewear globally. With a workforce exceeding 200,000 across 150 countries and a revenue of €25.4 billion in 2023, the company remains committed to addressing evolving vision needs while promoting sustainable vision care initiatives worldwide.
