Meta acquires smart lensmaker Luxexcel as it works toward AR glasses goal

The Netherlands-based company that specializes in 3D-printed prescription lens for smart glasses has been acquired by Meta. The news was first reported by the Dutch outlet De Tijd, but Meta has now confirmed that it bought the company.

Ryan Moore, the company's head of financial communications, said in a statement that Meta is excited that the Luxexcel team has joined. While the terms of the deal are unknown, Meta CTO and Reality Labs head, Andrew Bosworth, revealed in a blog post earlier this month that the company is pouring about half of the metaverse focused division's operating expenses into augmented reality.

There are elements that can be integrated into a prescription lens to create an augmented reality experience. The company collaborated with WaveOptics to create a transparent display that could be used to superimpose virtual objects on a user's real life environment.

We may not see a finished product until after Meta builds its first pair of glasses. It will take years of progress as Meta tries to make its augmented reality glasses lighter, faster and more powerful. The first version of Meta's augmented reality glasses will only be available to developers, while two later pairs could become available to consumers over the course of several years.

Meta is getting closer to its goal as it adds color video passthrough to its expensive new headset. The Ray-Ban stories are a pair of smart glasses with cameras, speakers, and microphones. Maybe that is something that this new acquisition could help Meta achieve down the road.