Facebook working with Ray-Ban for first smart glasses, slated to launch in 2021

Facebook working with Ray-Ban for first smart glasses, slated to launch in 2021
Facebook and Luxottica will make the gadget as a part of a multi-year partnership.

The first smart glasses will feature the Ray Ban branding. (Image for representation)
Facebook will launch its first pair of smart glasses next year. The social media giant is functioning closely with Luxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban, to launch the primary glasses. The announcement was made during the recently held Facebook Connect virtual conference, where the company’s also unveiled the next-gen Quest 2 wireless VR headset.

After spending time with their [EssilorLuxottica’s] team and visiting their factory, I knew that they were the proper partner for us to assist bring the simplest technology along side the simplest glasses,” Zuckerberg said during the Facebook Connect event. Facebook and Luxottica will make the smart glasses as a part of a multi-year partnership.

Marketed as a Ray-ban-branded product, the glasses won’t have an integrated display but may feature a voice-assistant. The glasses will work by pairing them with a smartphone. meaning the gadget will work- a bit like Snap Spectacles or Amazon Echo frames.

Facebook isn’t willing to share more info about the gadget like what they’re going to be called, or what proportion they could cost.

“We will build and release a pair of Ray-Ban branded smart glasses in 2021. They’ll combine innovative technology with fashion-forward style and help people better connect with friends and family,” Facebook said during a blog post.

Facebook’s partnership with Luxottica is break away the company’s Project Aria research prototype, a pair of AR glasses. the corporate says it’ll start testing Aria glasses publicly and around its campus starting this month.

The Mark Zuckerberg-owned Facebook isn’t the sole company that sees the longer term in augmented reality and smart glasses. Google, Apple and other big tech wigs are all reportedly performing on a pair of AR glasses.

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