Meta Platforms Inc. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has once again hinted at Meta’s growing ambitions in the wearable technology space. In a recent Facebook post, Zuckerberg shared a glimpse of a next-generation smart glasses project being developed in collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, the global eyewear giant.
In the shared photo, Zuckerberg is seen alongside Leonardo Del Vecchio, chairman of EssilorLuxottica, as they showcase a prototype neural interface wristband. This experimental wristband is designed to allow users to control their glasses and other connected devices using electromyography (EMG) — a technology that detects and interprets neural signals from the wrist.
Here Leonardo is using a prototype of our neural interface EMG wristband that will eventually let you control your glasses and other devices,” Zuckerberg wrote in his post, accompanied by a sunglasses emoji — perhaps a subtle nod to their joint smart eyewear venture.
The photo, taken during Zuckerberg’s recent visit to Milan, reflects Meta’s vision of seamlessly merging the physical and digital worlds through intuitive wearable devices. According to sources, discussions between Meta and EssilorLuxottica revolved around the future development of smart eyewear — devices that could potentially redefine how humans interact with technology.
This move places Meta squarely in competition with other global tech powerhouses such as Apple, Google, and Amazon, all of whom are expanding their presence in the wearable technology ecosystem. The race to develop augmented reality (AR) glasses has intensified as these devices are increasingly seen as potential successors to smartphones.
Notably, Google’s $2.1 billion acquisition of Fitbit underscored its growing interest in wearable fitness and health-tracking technologies. Meanwhile, Apple continues to refine its Apple Watch ecosystem and explore AR integration within its product line.
Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica, which began in 2020, marked a significant milestone in merging fashion with technology. The collaboration has already produced Ray-Ban Stories, a line of smart glasses inspired by the iconic Wayfarer design. These glasses feature built-in cameras, speakers, and microphones, allowing users to capture photos, listen to music, and take calls hands-free. Prices for the Ray-Ban Stories start at around $299, making them one of the most stylish entries into the smart eyewear market.
With the addition of a neural interface wristband, Meta appears to be taking a bold step forward — aiming to make digital interaction more natural, effortless, and human-centered. If successful, this innovation could mark the beginning of a new era where thoughts and gestures replace touchscreens and voice commands as primary input methods.
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