EYECARE EssilorLuxottica and Meta Platforms Announce New AI Features, Product Offerings and More Partner Integrations to Ray-Ban Meta Glasses By Staff Friday, September 27, 2024 12:27 AM MENLO PARK, Calif. and PARIS, France—Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: META) and EssilorLuxottica (Reuters: ESLX.PA) continue to advance Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses which now include feature updates and a broader selection of product offerings and partnerships, according to an announcement from EssilorLuxottica. Earlier this month, as VMAIL reported, EssilorLuxottica entered into a new long-term agreement that extends its partnership with Meta Platforms, under which the parties agreed to collaborate into the next decade to develop multi-generational smart eyewear products. Ray-Ban Meta glasses feature a high quality, 12MP camera, and since its launch users have tagged thousands of hands-free photos and videos sharing their unique POV around the world. Ray-Ban Meta glasses have open ear speakers so people can listen to their favorite podcast, book or album and according to the announcement, they’ll soon be able to use voice commands to search Spotify and Amazon Music. Meta AI featured on Ray-Ban Meta glasses can help people in the U.S. and Canada with things like writing captions to translate text and identifying objects. Soon, Meta AI will be even more integrated in users' everyday life, the company said, so they can use voice commands to set reminders. The company has also added Meta AI support for video input, allowing continuous real-time help where the AI can tag along and converse with a user. Soon, users will be able to use the glasses to translate speech in real time. When the user is talking to someone speaking Spanish, French or Italian, they can hear the conversation translated into English through the glasses’ open-ear speakers. Ray-Ban Meta glasses now include additional AI features, more product offerings and partner integrations. “We are excited about the significant progress we're making in our wearables category. Seeing the remarkable growth and positive reception of the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is truly inspiring," said Rocco Basilico, EssilorLuxottica’s chief wearables officer. "Our collaboration with Meta seamlessly blends our iconic design with cutting-edge technology, creating products that resonate globally. As Meta’s AI advances, we're committed to expanding our styles offerings. Each update introduces new capabilities that enhance the user experience, making our smart glasses more intuitive and accessible. We look forward to future innovations that will shape the way we connect with each other and the world.” EssilorLuxottica also announced the debut of transparent Ray-Ban Meta Wayfarer limited edition glasses. This iteration showcases the design of the Ray-Ban Wayfarer and provides a clear window into the technology housed within. Designed for tech enthusiasts and devoted fans alike, this special edition offers a glimpse into the intricate engineering and craftsmanship of Meta that meets the innovative spirit of Ray-Ban, EssilorLuxottica said. It comes in an exclusive, fully transparent frame paired with Transitions GEN STM lenses in sapphire. The Ray-Ban Meta collection will now feature the new Transitions GEN S lenses, the announcement said. This innovation goes beyond the boundaries of traditional lenses and are ultra-responsive to light. From fully clear indoors to dark outdoors, they adapt fast to all light conditions, the company said, providing ultimate light protection and HD vision. The lenses come in eight vibrant colors, including ruby, gray, graphite green, amethyst, emerald, amber, brown and sapphire, that can pair with any frame. EssilorLuxottica also announced its partnership with Be My Eyes, an access technology provider for people who are blind or have low vision. The app creates more assistance to people with sighted volunteers and companies, through live video and AI to tackle inaccessible parts of everyday life. Using the Ray-Ban Meta glasses POV, the volunteer can easily see surroundings or aid in real-time with hands-free assistance. The Ray-Ban Meta collection is available for purchase at Ray-Ban stores, on the Meta website, as well as select EssilorLuxottica retail stores including but not limited to: LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, Salmoiraghi & Viganò and through the company’s wholesale distribution network in the U.S., UK, Italy, Ireland, Australia, Canada, France, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.