Google eyes comeback in smart glasses market with Gemini AI to rival Meta's Ray-Ban

Emmanuel Oyedeji -

After a failed attempt with Google Glass almost a decade ago, Google isn't giving up on its dream of smart glasses. New reports suggest the tech giant is back in the game, this time with its powerful AI technology, Gemini, in tow.

While Google Glass wasn't a commercial success, there have been hints that Google is revisiting the concept of smart glasses.

According to reports, Google has approached EssilorLuxottica, the company behind the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, to develop a new pair of AR glasses powered by Google's AI technology, Gemini.

This news comes as Meta(Facebook), is also reportedly considering buying a 5% stake in EssilorLuxottica which has already partnered with Meta to produce two generations of AR-enhanced Ray-Ban glasses.

While it seems unlikely EssilorLuxottica would ditch Meta for Google, there have been hints that Google is revisiting the concept of smart glasses with EssilorLuxottica and is actively developing AR glasses with plans to integrate its Gemini AI into hardware.

This isn't the first collaboration between Google and Luxottica. Before merging with Essilor, Luxottica partnered with Google on the ill-fated Google Glass project. suggesting a potential reunion, however slim, between the two companies can't be entirely crossed off the list.

Apart from the talks, there is also evidence supporting Google's renewed interest in AR glasses including code within the Google app hinting at AR features in development according to a report by Tech Radar. Additionally, Google briefly showcased AR glasses at Google's I/O event in 2022.

This news also comes at a time when Google is collaborating with other companies on XR (Extended Reality) technology to develop its XR platform, So far it has partnered with Magic Leap on "Extended Reality solutions and experiences" and is working with Samsung on XR hardware as well.

With the global smart glasses market valued at $6.24 billion in 2023 and expected to reach $13.68 billion by 2031, according to SkyQuest Technology, Google investing in AR glasses is a clear shot at a spot in the market. But whether Google's next attempt will be a Ray-Ban collaboration or something entirely different remains to be seen.