Close Menu
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    • Home
    • Leadership Alliance
    • Exclusives
    • Internet Governance
      • Regulation
      • Governance Bodies
      • Emerging Tech
    • IT Infrastructure
      • Networking
      • Cloud
      • Data Centres
    • Company Stories
      • Profiles
      • Startups
      • Tech Titans
      • Partner Content
    • Others
      • Fintech
        • Blockchain
        • Payments
        • Regulation
      • Tech Trends
        • AI
        • AR/VR
        • IoT
      • Video / Podcast
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Home » Meta eyes stake in maker of Ray-Ban in smart glasses push
    Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses 2nd generation-7.19
    Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses 2nd generation-7.19
    AR/VR

    Meta eyes stake in maker of Ray-Ban in smart glasses push

    By Heidi LuoJuly 22, 2024No Comments3 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    • Meta increased its augmented reality investment by acquiring a stake in EssilorLuxottica to strengthen its smart glasses market presence.
    • The second-generation Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses enhanced everyday wearable technology with advanced AI.

    OUR TAKE
    Meta Platforms is negotiating a strategic investment to acquire a 3% to 5% stake in EssilorLuxottica SA, the world’s leading eyewear manufacturer and the brains behind Ray-Ban sunglasses. This acquisition shows Meta’s commitment to expanding into the smart glasses market and strengthening its presence in virtual and augmented reality. The collaboration, which began in 2021 with the launch of the first generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, has progressed significantly with the release of a second generation with enhanced capabilities, including the integration of MetaAI, a sophisticated AI assistant.
    —Heidi Luo, BTW reporter

    What happened

    Meta Platforms is in discussions to acquire a 3% to 5% stake in EssilorLuxottica SA, valued at approximately $4.9 billion. By investing in EssilorLuxottica, the manufacturer of Ray-Ban sunglasses, Meta aims to deepen its partnership with the world’s leading eyewear company.

    Plus, it would presumably gain more influence over a business that’s key to its virtual and augmented reality efforts and strengthen its position against rivals. Snap has been experimenting with mixed reality glasses for years, while Apple released its Vision Pro headset earlier this year.

    Since their initial collaboration on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in 2021, the partnership has evolved. According to Boomberg, the relationship has received formal approval from US antitrust authorities, allowing Meta to proceed with its purchase of up to 5% of EssilorLuxottica.

    The latest product of this collaboration, unveiled in San Francisco, is the second generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. These glasses have evolved from their previous capabilities, allowing users to take photos and videos, listen to music and answer calls, and now include MetaAI, an AI assistant based on the Llama artificial intelligence model.

    Also read: Meta to integrate AI into Ray-Ban smart glasses

    Also read: New Ray-Ban Meta glasses smash sales records, Milleri says

    Why it’s important

    Meta’s proposed stake in EssilorLuxottica marks another strategic investment in the latest technology, which is similar to its earlier investment in Reliance Industries Ltd‘s Jio Platforms, where it acquired around 10% for $5.7 billion to expand its digital services in India.

    Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Mandeep Singh and Nishant Chintala highlighted that Meta’s investment in EssilorLuxottica is likely a strategic reinforcement of its commitment to augmented reality (AR) and smart glasses. Unlike Oculus VR, which Meta owns, the AR segment represents a smaller but fast-growing market opportunity. Smart glasses, equipped with general AI and virtual assistant capabilities, are on their way to becoming essential everyday devices.

    This initiative follows Meta’s broader goal of developing the Metaverse, which CEO Mark Zuckerberg sees as the next major computing platform. This virtual environment is expected to change the way people interact, integrate digital experiences into everyday life, and expand the reach and utility of digital technologies.

    EssilorLuxottica METAVERSE Ray-Ban smart glasses
    Heidi Luo

    Heidi Luo is an intern reporter at Blue Tech Wave specialising in IT and tech trends. She graduated from Cardiff University. Send tips to h.luo@btw.media

    Related Posts

    Orange Business: Unveils defence division

    July 11, 2025

    AFRINET SA: Expands digital services in the DRC

    July 10, 2025

    Vodafone and Digital Realty launch subsea hub in Crete

    July 10, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    CATEGORIES
    Archives
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023

    Blue Tech Wave (BTW.Media) is a future-facing tech media brand delivering sharp insights, trendspotting, and bold storytelling across digital, social, and video. We translate complexity into clarity—so you’re always ahead of the curve.

    BTW
    • About BTW
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Team
    TERMS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.