The acquisition comes at a time of escalating consumer interest in smart glasses and other AI-enhanced wearables. By leveraging EssilorLuxottica's expertise in eyewear design and manufacturing, Meta aims to further refine its offerings and solidify its position in this competitive landscape. While neither company has officially commented on the deal, sources close to the matter indicate that Meta may consider increasing its stake to around 5% over time, suggesting a long-term strategic partnership.
This investment builds upon Meta's prior successes and ongoing initiatives in the wearable tech space. Last month, the social media titan collaborated with Oakley to launch the "Oakley Meta HSTN" smart glasses. These new glasses boast a hands-free high-resolution camera, open-ear speakers, water resistance, and integrated Meta AI capabilities, representing a significant step forward in functionality and user experience. This follows the strong market performance of the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which have sold millions of units since their debut in 2023.
EssilorLuxottica, for its part, has expressed clear intentions to expand its smart glasses production capacity. In February, CEO Francesco Milleri indicated the company's eagerness to broaden its collaboration with Meta to include other brands within its portfolio. This mutual interest in advancing wearable technology suggests a synergistic relationship that could lead to innovative products and reshape the future of personal tech. As Meta continues to invest billions in bolstering its AI infrastructure, strategic partnerships like this with EssilorLuxottica will be crucial in translating those investments into tangible, user-friendly devices.