What is smart eyewear and how does it relate to AR?

Smart eyewear refers to glasses with built-in computing capabilities, while Augmented Reality (AR) glasses specifically overlay digital information onto your real-world view. The latest generation of smart glasses, like those being developed by Meta and EssilorLuxottica, combines both concepts with AI technology. These devices can display navigation directions, notifications, or even interactive elements that appear to exist in the physical world around you, all while looking more like normal glasses than previous bulky headsets.

Why is Meta's investment in EssilorLuxottica significant?

Meta's $3.5 billion investment in EssilorLuxottica (the parent company of Ray-Ban and Oakley) represents a major validation of smart glasses as the next frontier of computing. This partnership combines Meta's AI and software expertise with EssilorLuxottica's manufacturing scale and fashion credibility. It signals that smart eyewear is moving beyond niche applications toward mainstream consumer adoption, potentially creating significant growth opportunities for the entire ecosystem of companies that provide components, software, and services for these devices.

What is LiDAR technology and why is it important for smart glasses?

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a sensing method that uses laser pulses to measure distances and create detailed 3D maps of surroundings. In smart glasses, this technology helps the device understand the physical world around you with exceptional precision. This enables more convincing augmented reality experiences where digital objects can interact naturally with real-world environments, like placing virtual furniture in your actual living room or providing precise navigation guidance that appears to be painted on the street in front of you.

What makes micro-displays different from regular screens?

Micro-displays are extremely small, high-resolution screens designed specifically for near-eye applications like smart glasses. Unlike the screen on your phone, micro-displays must be incredibly compact (often less than an inch diagonally) while providing high pixel density and brightness to create clear images when placed just centimeters from your eye. They also require specialized optics and must be extremely power-efficient to allow all-day use from a tiny battery. Companies that manufacture these specialized displays and their components are critical to the smart eyewear ecosystem.

How might AI-powered smart glasses change everyday life?

AI-powered smart glasses could transform daily activities much like smartphones did. Imagine walking down a street and seeing turn-by-turn directions overlaid on your path, getting instant translations of foreign language signs, or having your glasses recognize friends and display their names and relevant information. These devices could provide hands-free access to virtual assistants, allow you to control smart home devices with a glance, or enhance productivity by displaying contextual information during work tasks. The combination of AI processing and unobtrusive, always-available visual displays represents the next major shift in how we interact with technology.

15 handpicked stocks

AI in Your Eyes: The Smart Eyewear Revolution

Meta's $3.5 billion investment in Ray-Ban's parent company signals a major shift from smartphones to AI-powered eyewear. This carefully curated collection features companies across the entire smart glasses ecosystem, selected by our analysts for their growth potential in this emerging market.

Han Tan | Market Analyst

Updated 2 days ago | Published at जुलाई 9