Home / Business and Economy / Meta & EssilorLuxottica Plan AI Smart Glasses Surge
Meta & EssilorLuxottica Plan AI Smart Glasses Surge
13 Jan
Summary
- Production capacity for AI smart glasses may double to 20 million units annually.
- Demand is strong, potentially driving capacity beyond 30 million units.
- EssilorLuxottica is already nearing current production targets for smart glasses.
Meta and EssilorLuxottica are evaluating a substantial increase in their artificial intelligence-powered smart glasses production, aiming to double capacity to 20 million units per year by the end of 2026. This potential expansion is fueled by robust consumer demand, with reports indicating that production could even surpass 30 million units if market conditions are favorable. The collaboration, which began in 2019, has already seen success with their Ray-Ban branded frames launched in 2021, offering features like photo/video capture and AI assistance.
EssilorLuxottica, the European eyewear giant and manufacturing partner for Meta, is reportedly on track to achieve its current production goal of 10 million pairs by late 2026. This suggests a strong existing market and growing interest in the smart eyewear segment. The company had previously announced plans in October to accelerate production capacity for this burgeoning business, underscoring its commitment to the technology.
This news emerges as Meta's Reality Labs division, responsible for virtual and augmented reality technologies including these smart glasses, faces significant investment and job cuts. Despite these internal shifts, the potential doubling of smart glasses production indicates a strategic focus on wearable technology's future market potential.
