Facebook announced its partnership with Ray-Ban glasses EssilorLuxottica, to develop smart glasses. They plan to launch the Ray-Ban branded product by 2021. The glasses will not be an AR device yet, according to the report of The Verge, but are moving one step toward to the goal.

(Image: Facebook)

Facebook said further details about the smart glasses will be revealed when it gets closer to the launch time in 2021. But since they will not include integrated display with AR or VR function. So the new products may not be the results of its collaboration with Plessey.

The social media company began collaboration with Micro LED display developer Plessey in March. Based on the partnership, Plessey has licensed its technology of Micro LED display to Facebook for developing Micro LED AR smart glasses, which may be released between 2023 to 2025. Since Facebook is also working with Ray-Ban with a multiyear contract, we could expect that Micro LED AR glasses launched by Facebook may also branded with Ray-Ban.

Facebook also reported an experimental research device named Project Aria as part of its AR glasses development. The prototype devices will capture images and track eye movement, as well as collect other environmental information to support development of AR smart glasses. Facebook employees are wearing them starting September to help the company building software and hardware required for AR applications.