Meta acquires smart eyewear firm Luxexcel to strengthen its future in AR

Meta has acquired the smart eyewear company Luxexcel, which will come in handy for Meta’s adoption of augmented reality and the creation of its first AR glasses. It’s unknown how much Meta paid to acquire the company.

Luxexcel was founded in 2009, with its headquarters in The Netherlands. At first, the company focused on 3D printing lenses for industrial optics, automotive, and aerospace industries. Now, the 3D printing firm makes prescription lenses for the eyewear market and creates complex glass lenses for AR optics.

In 2020, Luxexcel entered the smart eyewear market by combining 3D-printed prescription lenses with technology. One year later, the company partnered with British waveguide firm WaveOptics, which was eventually acquired by Snapchat’s parent company Snap.

In September 2021, Meta revealed the Ray-Ban Stories smart glasses that can capture photos and take videos, or make hands-free, voice-controlled calls using Meta apps, such as WhatsApp and Messenger. 

Rumors say that Meta might launch its first AR glasses in 2026. Luxexcel could supply the lenses required for the glasses, which are possibly more cost-effective than other solutions. By acquiring Luxexcel, Meta wants to secure its position in the rapidly growing AR market.

“This continues a trend of companies giants like Meta, Apple, Google, and others, including Snap and Vuzix, buying up the supply chain for AR components. This buying up of fledgling technologies is likely to hinder the long-term development of the AR market,”

said the industry’s observer, Karl Guttag.

Meta is currently facing a lawsuit from the FTC, which is attempting to prevent Meta from buying the VR fitness app “Within.” Federal regulators argue that Meta is monopolizing the VR industry and is trying to buy its dominance in the metaverse.