Meta’s Serious Commitment to the Metaverse

MetaversePlanet January 3, 2023

0 1 minute read

Meta’s commitment to the metaverse is growing, as evidenced by its recent acquisition of a leading smart lens developer.

The company has expanded its metaverse investments by purchasing Luxexcel, a Netherlands-based firm renowned for its 3D-printed prescription glasses tailored for smart glasses. This acquisition was initially reported by the Dutch publication De Tijd (via TechCrunch) and later confirmed by Meta.

Meta expressed enthusiasm about Luxexcel joining its ranks, enhancing the partnership that already existed between the two entities, according to a statement from Ryan Moore, Meta’s head of financial communications.

While the terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed, Meta’s CTO and head of Reality Labs, Andrew Bosworth, mentioned in a blog post earlier this month that approximately half of the division’s focus dedicated to the metaverse is on augmented reality (AR), with the remainder allocated to developing virtual reality (VR) products, an area still facing significant challenges.

Meta's Serious Commitment to the Metaverse

Established in 2009, Luxexcel has demonstrated the capability to embed necessary components for an augmented reality experience within prescription lenses, including holographic films and projectors.

In 2021, it collaborated with WaveOptics, the supplier of displays for Snap’s Spectacles, to develop a lens featuring waveguides or transparent display technology essential for superimposing virtual objects onto the real-world view of users.

While Meta is endeavoring to produce its inaugural AR glasses, the arrival of a finalized product is anticipated to be a considerable time away.

Bosworth has stated that years of development are required to refine the device, making it “thinner, lighter, faster, and more powerful.”

Nevertheless, Meta is steadily progressing towards this goal, as demonstrated by the addition of color video transitions to its high-end new Quest Pro headset. Additionally, in 2021, Meta partnered with Ray-Ban to launch Ray-Ban Stories, smart glasses equipped with cameras, speakers, and microphones, marking a significant step in its AR and VR endeavors.