Meta Platforms has acquired nearly a 3% stake in EssilorLuxottica, the world’s largest eyewear maker, in a deal valued at approximately €3 billion (about $3.5 billion). This strategic investment deepens Meta’s commitment to the AI-powered smart glasses market and wearable technology sector.
Let’s have a look at the key points about this investment and partnership:
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Meta and EssilorLuxottica have a longstanding collaboration since 2019, producing successful smart glasses under the Ray-Ban Meta brand, which have sold over 2 million units as of early 2025.
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The companies recently launched the Oakley Meta HSTN smart glasses, featuring AI integration, hands-free cameras, audio speakers, water resistance, and Meta AI functionalities.
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EssilorLuxottica plans to increase smart glasses production capacity to 10 million units by the end of 2026.
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Meta is reportedly considering increasing its stake to around 5% over time, signaling a long-term strategic interest.
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This investment follows a broader industry trend, with competitors like Google also investing in smart eyewear companies.
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The partnership aims to develop multi-generational smart eyewear products combining EssilorLuxottica’s expertise in eyewear and retail with Meta’s advances in AI and technology.
This move highlights Meta’s growing focus on integrating artificial intelligence into consumer wearables and expanding its hardware ecosystem beyond VR and social platforms.