Meta and EssilorLuxottica Unveil AI-Powered Oakley Eyewear, Aiming to Revolutionize Athletic Performance

Last week, Meta (META) saw its stock drop by 1.93%, marking a decline over three consecutive days, totaling a 2.82% drop in that period. However, there has been no change in its weekly performance, while the company's stock has gained 16.75% year-to-date, bringing its current market capitalization to 1,715.651 billion.

Meta recently announced a collaboration with European eyewear company EssilorLuxottica to launch the Oakley Meta eyewear collection. The first product in this series, the "Oakley Meta HSTN," targets athletes and sports enthusiasts with a starting price of $399. The product is expected to reach the market this summer, with a limited edition available for pre-order on July 11 at $499.

EssilorLuxottica, known for brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley, also manufactures eyewear for luxury brands such as Chanel, Prada, Tiffany, and Versace. For the launch of the HSTN, Meta enlisted the help of high-profile athletes, including Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé, NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes, and former NBA player JR Smith, to promote the new eyewear.

Meta's new eyewear integrates a camera that allows wearers to capture 3K video hands-free while offering unique perspectives. The glasses also feature open-ear speakers and have an IPX4 water-resistance rating. Additionally, they come equipped with the "Meta AI" personal assistant, enabling users to perform tasks like asking about the weather or recording videos with simple voice commands, all while receiving answers to various inquiries.

Oakley's Global President, Caio Amato, expressed excitement about this partnership with Meta, stating that it represents a new reality that enhances athletic performance while unlocking human potential in unprecedented ways. He hailed this venture as the beginning of a new era in sports.

EssilorLuxottica's Chief Wearables Officer, Rocco Basilico, remarked that this collaboration marks a new chapter in their journey of wearable device development. Leveraging Oakley's signature design and Meta's advancements in AI and spatial computing, they aim to set a new benchmark in the industry.

Back in February, Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed that over one million pairs of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses were sold in 2024. The company regards these smart glasses as an important emerging hardware category in the AI era, emphasizing their pivotal role in the market since launch. Meta plans to deepen its collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, reinforcing this iconic global brand.

Beyond Meta, other tech companies are progressing their smart eyewear initiatives. Last month, Alphabet announced a $1.5 billion partnership with Warby Parker focusing on developing smart glasses using Gemini AI assistant technology. Snap also outlined plans to release its sixth generation of augmented reality smart glasses next year.