Meta, parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, acquires Belgian-Dutch company Luxexcel. This company specialises in 3D printing lenses for glasses. These include not only prescription lenses, but also lenses that integrate technology.
Luxexcel is a company founded in 2019. It is headquartered in Eindhoven, while R&D and operations take place in Turnhout, Belgium. The company also has sales and service teams in the US state of Georgia.
Complex processes
Producing lenses normally involves all kinds of complex processes, including sanding and polishing. This process has several drawbacks, including complex finishing, the need to hold large stocks and relatively high material losses.
With 3D printing, Luxexcel aims to offer an alternative production method. To this end, the company developed a proprietary platform called VisionPlatform. This platform replaces about 30 steps in the traditional lens production process. VisionPlatform is a so-called 'turn-key' solution, meaning that partners can immediately start using the platform to produce lenses for both traditional and smart glasses.
VisionPlatform
VisionPlatform consists of several components. Luxexcel VisionEngine is a scalable and flexible 3D printing platform for producing lenses. The platform also includes Luxexcel VisionClear, a range of materials consisting of the company's patented ink and optimised for 3D printing lenses. The final component is the Luxexcel VisionMater software for designing and printing customised lenses.
During the printing process, Luxexcel uses a special ink that uses up a lens drop by drop. A 3D printer precisely positions billions of tiny droplets, creating a smooth surface that does not need any finishing.
Project Aria
Meta acquires Luxexcel. This acquisition is not entirely unexpected; rumours have been circulating for some time that Meta and Luxexcel are working together. Within this collaboration, the focus would be on Project Aria, a research initiative by Meta in the field of augmented reality (AR). AR involves superimposing a digital image over reality, without the environment disappearing from view. This makes it possible to layer on top of the real world.
The smart eyewear market is not new to Meta. For example, the company announced the Ray-Ban Stories in September 2021. These smart glasses that Meta developed together with Ray-Ban will allow users to take photos and videos, among other things, as well as hands-free use of Meta's platforms.
Incidentally, the Ray-Ban Stories has not yet hit the market. The company had reportedly wanted to introduce the glasses in 2024, but scaled down its plans for the AR glasses last summer, according to rumours. Meta did not want to comment on these rumours.
Reality Labs
It is not the first AR and Virtual Reality (VR) company Meta has invested in. Meta previously acquired Oculus, which now goes by the name of Reality Labs. This company focuses on manufacturing VR and AR headsets and software. A well-known example are the company's Rift and Quest VR headsets.
Financial details of the takeover have not been disclosed. However, De Tijd refers to a ‘substantial price’.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
