Google turns to Warby Parker to develop smart glasses, competing with Meta's Ray-Ban line
Google has announced a new partnership with Warby Parker to create smart glasses, directly challenging Meta's Ray-Ban line. The collaboration involves a significant investment of up to $150 million, with a substantial portion allocated towards development, specifically up to $75 million. This move indicates Google's serious intentions in the smart glasses market.
Google's Android XR Platform
The collaboration between Google and Warby Parker aims to introduce glasses that cater to individual tastes, echoing Google's Android XR platform's ethos. The Android XR platform features see-through headsets and glasses that are designed to support both augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) functionalities.
According to Shahram Izadi, the lead for Google's Android XR, the smart glasses under development will be styled by Gentle Monster and Warby Parker. The companies plan to release a series of products, with the first line of smart glasses equipped with multimodal AI set to launch post-2025.
Partnership Details
Google's commitment to the partnership extends to a total investment sum of $150 million. This investment will cover various aspects such as product development, commercialization costs, and equity, with approximately $75 million allocated to each category. As a result of this collaboration, Warby Parker's stock has experienced a significant increase, indicating positive market response.
Google's Vice President, Izadi, mentioned during an event that the smart glasses prototypes are already in use by selected testers. However, the specifics regarding the availability and pricing of these smart glasses were not disclosed during the event.
Competition in the Smart Glasses Market
Meta, previously known as Facebook, has also been active in the smart glasses market, particularly with its Ray-Ban line. These glasses, while lacking AR capabilities currently, have enjoyed considerable success, with sales reportedly tripling over the past year. Meta's Ray-Bans are priced between $300 and $500.
Looking ahead, Meta is expected to release a new version of the Ray-Bans that will feature a built-in display, marking its initial steps into augmented reality products for the mass market. On the other hand, Meta is also working on a separate line of AR glasses codenamed "Artemis," targeting a 2027 release.
Google's Past Endeavors in Smart Glasses
Google has a long history in exploring smart glasses technology, dating back over a decade. While Google Glass faced challenges and was eventually discontinued in 2023, the company continued to innovate in this space. At the recent I/O event, Google showcased its Project Aura glasses, which include various features such as a built-in camera, microphone, speakers, and an in-lens display.
Furthermore, Google demonstrated the capabilities of the Project Aura glasses, illustrating how users can utilize them for messaging, appointments, directions, and capturing photos. The event also highlighted other product releases and AI updates from Google, emphasizing the company's ongoing commitment to technological advancements.
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