New Ray-Ban Meta glasses have outsold previous version, Essilux CEO says

MILAN (Reuters) - Meta Platforms and EssilorLuxottica's new generation of smart glasses have sold more in a few months than the old ones did in two years, EssilorLuxottica's Chief Executive said on Tuesday.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses went on the market last October, allowing users to livestream directly from the glasses to followers on Facebook and Instagram. The smart glasses have Meta AI built in, with the ability to give information on the item a user is looking at.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The first version of smartglasses, born from the collaboration between Meta and Essilorluxottica, were reported to have struggled to catch on with consumers.

KEY QUOTES

EssilorLuxottica's CEO Francesco Milleri said that the first generation of smart glasses, called Ray-Ban Stories, paved the way for the success of the new generation of smart glasses.

"Today people's expectations are clearer.. hence the success of the second generation," Milleri said on the sidelines of an event in Milan.

The AI feature on the Meta's Ray-Ban is restricted to the US and not allowed in Europe at the moment.

"In Europe we are waiting for the decision of the new Artificial Intelligence Act, which we hope will arrive soon", Milleri added.

EssilorLuxottica's CEO added that Meta was a "key partner" for the company and that his group's brands can be "a cultural intermediary to bring technology to people".

(Reporting by Elisa Anzolin; Editing by Keith Weir)