Meta is making another acquisition despite facing problems with its deal with VR fitness developers Within. But this time, it will be an effort aiming for its own augmented reality (AR) glasses, as the tech giant acquires a smart eye glasses company based in the Netherlands.
Acquiring Luxexcel
Meta purchased a smart eyeglasses company based in the Netherlands named Luxexcel. According to TechCrunch's report, the acquired company specializes in 3D-printing prescription lenses for smart eyewear.
Head of Financial Communications Ryan Moore stated, "We're excited that the Luxexcel team has joined Meta, deepening the existing partnership between the two companies."
Luxexcel was founded in 2009 and will integrate its technology to create an augmented reality experience within the prescription lens, including holographic film and projectors. Both companies are reportedly working together for Project Aria, Meta' AR research initiative.
Through this acquisition, Meta is most likely to take advantage of its technologies to the maximum extent to produce the long-awaited AR glasses in its Reality Labs. Luxexcel worked with WaveOptics as both companies developed a lens outfitted with waveguides.
Augmented Reality Plans
Chief Technology Officer and Reality Labs Head Andrew Bosworth stated, "Building true AR glasses will require a massive set of breakthroughs and inventions across all sorts of areas, from lenses and miniature displays to lightweight materials and AI-powered interfaces."
Despite the public's attention being more interested in virtual reality devices and its software offerings, Meta is still directing half of their Reality Labs operation to AR initiatives to provide the best experience in all aspects of the company.
By having these goals, he added that this is one of the company's most ambitious R&D operations in the world, as it focuses more on developing a new kind of computing platform that is truly revolutionary.
"I can't wait for the world to see the results of the things we're building there. The VR hardware and software we've released so far is just the tip of the iceberg, and the best days are still ahead of us," he added.
Also Read : Meta AR Dev Team Now Disbanded as Company Focuses on Metaverse Development; No AR/VR Tech For Now
Even with these efforts and enough financial support, the first pair of AR glasses will not be produced anytime soon as it requires years of progress. The Verge reported that adding to this is that the company is attempting to make the device more powerful.
Once Meta develops a full-fledged AR glasses, this will be only available to developers exclusively. The reason behind this is for the company to build software experiences for the device and its future versions. The specs of these glasses will also not be consumer-ready.
The first version of the AR glasses has been in development for three years now. But according to reports, the second version is still on track for a consumer release and is expected to debut over the next several years.
