The XR Weekly Update (Feb 18, 2025): 2 Million Ray-Ban Meta Devices Sold, Meta’s Potential Humanoid Robot Project, and More!

I’ve returned to Italy, feeling both exhausted and elated. I trust you had a lovely Valentine’s Day with your loved ones and that happiness prevails in your life, too. Now, you’re probably wondering what’s got me smiling these days. Well, my recent piece about Android XR and its camera framing permissions struck a chord with some prominent publications like Road To VR, Upload VR, and Android Authority, earning me quite a spotlight! Sometimes a brief brush with fame is just what the doctor ordered. 😊 Now, let’s dive into the juiciest XR updates from this week!

Big News This Week

Ray-Ban Meta’s Remarkable Sales: 2 Million Units Sold

Recently, during EssilorLuxottica’s fourth-quarter earnings call for 2024, CEO Francesco Milleri sang the praises of Ray-Ban Meta’s success. So far, these trendy spectacles have sold an impressive 2 million units (echoing whispers from industry insiders I know), with user retention on the rise. Strong sales paired with loyal customers often mark a product’s success story.

With this momentum, Luxottica aims to invest even more into the venture, setting their sights on producing over 10 million units by 2026’s end.

Ray-Ban Meta’s triumphs have ignited excitement in the smartglasses sector. At CES, I witnessed countless startups debuting AI-enhanced eyewear, and rumors abound about big players like Apple and Samsung foraying into smartglasses. However, caution against excessive hype is warranted. Ray-Ban’s iconic identity and EssilorLuxottica’s robust distribution have primarily driven its success, with Meta playing a supporting role. Replicating such success may not be in the cards for other tech giants just yet.

Even though Luxottica aims for an annual production of 10 million, that’s nowhere near smartphone figures, signaling smartglasses’ gradual adoption. Let’s hope we see a breakthrough, though it will require consistent market growth to confirm that.

Other Significant Updates

Rumors of Meta’s Humanoid Robot Venture

A scoop from Bloomberg hints at Meta’s dabbling in humanoid robots. Their Reality Labs division—the same folks behind XR gadgets—are said to be developing robots capable of household tasks. The data harvested from AR/VR headsets and Project Aria glasses could indeed be invaluable for training these bots.

Interestingly, Meta doesn’t intend to jump into robot manufacturing. Insights gleaned from XR glasses must have demonstrated the hardware business’s complexities and high costs. Instead, Meta plans to contribute core AI technology, sensors, and software for other companies to leverage in robot production.

Honestly, opening another costly and uncertain tech frontier amid Meta’s current challenges seems risky. I’m not sold on the idea.

Apple’s Vision Pro to Harness Apple Intelligence

Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to bring its Apple Intelligence to the Vision Pro headset, along with fresh updates like guest user mode and a spatial content app by April. Developers could even access a beta version as early as this week. Notably, Apple is also contemplating an AI partnership in China—possibly with Tencent or Bytedance. An M5 chipset-powered Vision Pro upgrade could further enhance their Apple Intelligence integration.

If successful, this move could bolster Apple against Google’s Android XR, which owes part of its success to the Gemini integration. Clearly, intensifying competition is nudging tech giants to up their game promptly.

AugmentOS Aims to Simplify Smartglasses App Development

Mentra recently introduced AugmentOS, a mobile app designed to facilitate smartglasses app creation. With this platform, developers can build a single application (using the AugmentOS SDK) compatible with various smartglasses models. A partnership with Vuzix ensures the app’s compatibility with devices like Vuzix Z100, Even Realities G1, and Mentra Mach1. The company claims Ray-Ban Meta support too, though it’s absent from the official list.

I find this initiative promising; smartglasses are garnering buzz, but the app development process isn’t inherently clear. The current fragmented ecosystem makes cross-device app development challenging. AugmentOS addresses these issues, and hopefully, it gains traction, encouraging more such innovations.

Let’s keep an eye out for these exciting XR developments as they unfold!