PARIS and SANTA CLARA, Calif.—EssilorLuxottica (ESLX.PA) and Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) have announced a long-term joint development agreement in which they aim to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation intelligent optical systems for augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart eyewear, the companies said. Based in California, Applied Materials is a materials engineering solutions company that provides equipment, services, and software used to manufacture semiconductor chips, advanced displays and related technology that power electronics worldwide. With this partnership, the companies are joining forces to develop high-performance optical systems that they said are “critical to scalable AR experiences.”
The collaboration “combines EssilorLuxottica’s global leadership in lenses, frames and smart eyewear with Applied Materials’ expertise in materials engineering and waveguide technologies to advance scalable optical platforms capable of delivering lightweight visual experiences for the next era of computing,” the announcement said.
“We believe the convergence of advanced optics, AI and wearable technologies will unlock a new generation of experiences for consumers,” said Francesco Milleri, chairman and CEO, EssilorLuxottica. “For decades, EssilorLuxottica has advanced breakthrough innovations in lenses and visual performance, helping redefine how people experience the world around them. Together with Applied Materials, we look forward to exploring intelligent optical technologies that can help shape the future of smart glasses and next-generation visual computing, creating a new global force for the expansion of the display wearables category.”
The companies advised that they will collaborate on research and development of advanced optical technologies, including waveguides, adaptive lens systems, and materials innovations, which can enable future intelligent lenses and AR experiences.
Fundamental to AR devices, waveguides provide the optical layer that power projected images to be coupled into, guided through and emitted from a transparent lens while still allowing for visibility of the real world, the companies explained, creating the perception of digital graphics overlaid onto natural surroundings. Light-adaptive and electro-active lenses adjust lens tint, offering vision benefits in all light conditions, while advanced lens encapsulation technologies help preserve the optical performance of AR display systems.
“Designing, building and scaling next-generation smart glasses will require deep collaboration across the technology ecosystem,” said Gary Dickerson, president and CEO, Applied Materials. “By bringing together Applied Materials’ leadership in photonics and materials engineering with EssilorLuxottica’s expertise in lenses and smart eyewear, we are accelerating the development and commercialization of advanced display smart glasses that can create entirely new user experiences.”
By combining what they stated was complementary expertise and intellectual property, the companies are aiming to “accelerate the path from breakthrough innovation to manufacturable and scalable optical solutions,” through joint research initiatives conducted at a dedicated collaboration lab located on Applied Materials’ Silicon Valley campus.
Applied Materials and EssilorLuxottica said in the announcement they also plan to jointly explore additional strategic opportunities to further develop and commercialize technologies created through the collaboration.
