MW Warby Parker partners with Google as they take on Meta with AI-powered glasses

By James Rogers

Warby Parker and Google's first line of smart glasses is expected to launch sometime after this year

Warby Parker Inc. has joined forces with Alphabet Inc.'s Google to develop AI-powered glasses for all-day wear, in an attempt to take on Facebook parent Meta's smart glasses.

Warby Parker and Google said Tuesday that the first line of smart glasses is expected to launch sometime after this year and will incorporate artificial intelligence with both prescription and non-prescription lenses.

Google is no stranger to smart glasses. The tech giant unveiled its Google Glass technology in 2013, canceled it in 2015 and then launched an enterprise edition two years later. In 2023 Google said it would no longer sell the enterprise edition.

Google Glass sparked concerns about privacy and was also criticized for its aesthetic.

Nonetheless, the partnership gives Warby Parker the opportunity to tap into Google's experience around smart glasses, while giving Google access to new aesthetics in glasses design.

As part of the partnership, Google will provide up to $75 million to Warby Parker for product development and commercialization, and it plans to invest up to another $75 million in the eyewear company.

Warby Parker's stock (WRBY) rocketed as much as 25.9% to an intraday high of $22.15, before paring gains to be up 16.8% in afternoon trading. Alphabet's stock $(GOOG)$ $(GOOGL)$ slipped 1.4% in afternoon trading.

Meta Platforms Inc. $(META)$ has teamed up with Ray-Ban for its AI glasses, which saw an increase in sales the last quarter. Speaking about the company's recent first-quarter results, Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said that sales of Ray-Ban Meta AI glasses have tripled in the past year, but he did not break out specific numbers.

Warby Parker's stock has dropped 15.1% in 2025 and Alphabet shares have shed 13.4%. In comparison, shares of Meta have gained 8.7% this year and the S&P 500 index SPX has advanced 0.9%.

-James Rogers

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May 20, 2025 16:21 ET (20:21 GMT)

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