Key facts
- EssilorLuxottica and Applied Materials have signed a long-term deal to develop augmented reality display technology and AI glasses.
- EssilorLuxottica has over a decade of R&D and manufacturing expertise in smart eyewear.
- EssilorLuxottica is collaborating with Meta Platforms on next-generation AI glasses, including the Oakley Meta Vanguard and Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2.
- The Meta Ray-Ban Display will feature an integrated display for the first time.
- EssilorLuxottica's Smart Eyewear Lab, in partnership with Politecnico di Milano, is researching eye tracking, sensors, and augmented reality for smart glasses.
EssilorLuxottica, the world's largest eyewear maker, has entered into a long-term agreement with U.S. chipmaking equipment company Applied Materials to develop augmented reality display technology and AI-powered glasses. The companies announced the deal on Tuesday, signaling a significant step in integrating advanced technology into wearable devices.
EssilorLuxottica has been actively pioneering eyewear as an intelligent platform for over a decade, combining technological capabilities with design and vision performance. This expertise is crucial as the company aims to make wearable technology both accessible and desirable.
Building on existing collaborations, EssilorLuxottica and Meta Platforms Inc. are expanding their partnership with the launch of next-generation AI glasses. This includes the Oakley Meta Vanguard, designed for athletic intelligence with features like PRIZM lenses and open-ear audio, and the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2, which offers improved battery life, a sharper camera, and new styles. A key development is the Meta Ray-Ban Display, which integrates AI glasses with a display for the first time.
Furthermore, EssilorLuxottica's Smart Eyewear Lab, a collaboration with Politecnico di Milano launched in 2022, is exploring advanced technologies such as eye tracking, miniaturized sensors, and augmented reality. This initiative aims to transform glasses into intelligent devices that merge vision, health, and connectivity, with a focus on discreet integration of technology to maintain the aesthetics and comfort of traditional eyewear. The lab involves over 100 multidisciplinary researchers and scientists. In September 2025, Politecnico di Milano will launch an interdisciplinary program in smart wearable technologies to train future experts in the field.