Google and Warby Parker Partner to Develop AI-Powered Smart Glasses

Google commits $150M to develop AI glasses with Warby Parker

Google says it will commit up to $150 million to the consumer eyewear company Warby Parker to jointly develop AI-powered smart glasses based on Android XR, the companies said on Tuesday during Google I/O 2025. Google has already committed $75 million to Warby Parker's product development and commercialization costs, the companies said in a press release. Google says it will invest an additional $75 million, taking an equity stake in Warby Parker, should the eyewear manufacturer meet certain milestones. At Google I/O 2025, Google also announced partnerships with several companies to develop smart glasses with Gemini AI and AR capabilities, including Samsung and Gentle Monster. Google seems to be taking a page out of Meta's smart glasses strategy. Meta has found success partnering and investing in the Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica to develop its smart glasses. Part of the reason behind Ray-Ban Meta's success is that the smart glasses have an attractive, familiar design and they're being sold in Ray-Ban stores. It seems likely that Google will have a similar relationship with Warby Parker, taking advantage of the eyewear company's popular frame designs and perhaps its retail stores. In the press release, Warby Parker and Google said they intend to launch a series of products over time. Their first line of eyewear will launch "after 2025" and will incorporate multimodal AI with prescription and non-prescription glasses.

Wall Street gets bullish on a surprising new AI play: Warby Parker

Analysts are cheering Warby Parker 's smart glasses partnership with Google . As part of the deal announced Tuesday, Google committed as much as $150 million. Half of that goes toward product development, and half to Warby Parker if specific collaboration milestones are set. The first line of products from the partnership is expected "after 2025." Products in the collaboration will utilize Google's Android XR operating system. The Android XR will include Google's Gemini artificial intelligence assistant, meaning Warby Parker could get in on the stock market's AI hype. Warby Parker shares surged more than 15% Tuesday and held on to the gain Wednesday, when the stock rose as much as 4% in early trading. The eyewear retailer is ahead 48% in one month and nearly 23% over the past year. WRBY 1Y mountain Warby Parker over the past 12 months. Wall Street sees some room for Warby to score further gains. The average analyst polled by LSEG has a buy rating with a consensus price target that suggests shares may rise another 4%. Here's what some analysts said in notes to clients about what the Alphabet deal means for Warby: Baird Analyst Mark Altschwager has an outperform rating and a $24 price target, implying upside of 18% over Tuesday's close. "While there is much to learn, this is an exciting announcement that can both drive Warby Parker brand awareness and create a new revenue stream in an emerging category (adding to the open-ended growth nature of our Warby Parker thesis). While we don't have a great sense of what the consumer adoption curve might look like for smart glasses, the $75 million investment in product development/commercialization should lower the risk profile for Warby (with option for further capital infusion at Warby's discretion)." TD Cowen Analyst Oliver Chen has a buy rating and lifted his price target by $4 to $24, also suggesting 18% upside. "Longer-term, key benefits could include: (1) enhancing existing customer lifetime value, (2) inspire other wearable technology development, and (3) help drive a continuous focus on tech meets customer centricity. We estimate the U.S. [total addressable market] of Smart Glasses could be $2-4bn by 2030 vs. WRBY's current revenue of ~$800mm" in the last 12 months. Citi Analyst Paul Lejuez hiked his price target by $5 to $22, translating into 8% potential upside. He has a neutral rating. "We are increasing our revenue growth estimates in F26E and beyond, as the new AI glasses likely expand WRBY's addressable market. Importantly, the adoption of everyday smart glasses has been relatively slow, so we are taking a conservative view on the growth potential." Stifel Analyst Jim Duffy raised his price target by $3 to $21, suggesting upside of 3%, and carries an investment recommendation of hold, citing execution risk. "Overall, we view the partnership as potential exposure to the fast-growing wearables segment and gives Google a renewed, and potentially more viable, pathway into mainstream smart glasses. With a greater TAM upon commercialization (beyond 2025) and credible backing, we see WRBY deserving of a more premium multiple." Telsey Advisory Group Analyst Dana Telsey has an outperform rating and a $22 price target, equal to 8% potential upside. "This partnership reflects WRBY's disruptive and innovative positioning within the optical market, in our view. The investment indicates the trust Google has in Warby Parker to help bring this next generation of smart glasses to market. While the glasses are not expected to be commercially available until after 2025, we believe there will likely be quite a bit of buzz around the technologies leading up to and upon launch. We anticipate this could be a boon to store traffic as people (WRBY customers and future ones) head to Warby Parker showrooms to test out the AI-powered glasses in person."

Your next pair of Warby Parkers might secretly house a Google AI

Google has committed up to $150 million to Warby Parker to co-develop Android XR-based AI-powered smart glasses, with $75 million already allocated for product development and commercialization. An additional $75 million is contingent upon Warby Parker meeting specific milestones, in exchange for an equity stake. The partnership was unveiled at Google I/O 2025, alongside announcements of similar collaborations with Samsung and Gentle Monster for smart glasses integrating Gemini AI and AR capabilities. This strategy mirrors Meta's successful approach with EssilorLuxottica (Ray-Ban), leveraging existing design appeal and retail channels. Warby Parker's popular frame designs and potential retail integration are expected to play a key role in the venture. The first line of smart glasses, set to launch after 2025, will feature multimodal AI across both prescription and non-prescription models. Subsequent products are planned as part of a broader series. The partnership is the latest in Google's efforts to establish a presence in the smart glasses market, following the announcement of collaborations with other industry players.

Warby Parker (WRBY) Shares Surge On Google Smart Glasses Partnership: What's Going On? - Warby Parker (NYSE:WRBY)

Warby Parker Inc WRBY shares have jumped 18.7% this week to $20.52 following the announcement of a strategic partnership with Google. What To Know: The collaboration aims to develop AI-powered smart glasses designed for all-day wear, combining Warby Parker's design expertise with Google's advanced technology and Android XR platform. Google's commitment to the project includes up to $150 million in total support, with $75 million allocated for product development and an additional $75 million in optional equity investment contingent on milestone achievements. The first generation of these intelligent eyewear, available with both prescription and non-prescription lenses, is expected to launch after 2025. Warby Parker Co-CEOs Dave Gilboa and Neil Blumenthal highlighted the potential of multimodal AI in glasses to enhance daily interactions and elevate everyday experiences through a blend of design, utility and innovation. Read Also: Lowe's CEO Calls Out Near-Term Housing Market Challenges But Holds The Line On Outlook How To Buy WRBY Stock By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Warby Parker - be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company. Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of possible trading platforms here. Many will allow you to buy "fractional shares," which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share. In the case of Warby Parker, which is trading at $20.52 as of publishing time, $100 would buy you 4.87 shares of stock. If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to "go short" a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a stock can be found at this resource. Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading - either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline. According to data from Benzinga Pro, WRBY has a 52-week high of $28.68 and a 52-week low of $12.46. WRBYWarby Parker Inc$20.631.40%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentum61.10Growth77.11Quality-Value54.74Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Analyst Deems Warby Parker's Google Tie-Up 'Emblematic of Long-Term Disruption' - Warby Parker (NYSE:WRBY)

TD Securities analyst Oliver Chen maintained a Buy rating on Warby Parker WRBY, raising the price forecast from $20 to $24. Chen commented on Warby Parker's newly announced collaboration with Google to create AI-enabled smart glasses designed for all-day use and compatible with both Android and iOS. As part of the deal, Google is committing $75 million toward product development and commercialization and may invest an additional $75 million in Warby Parker stock over several years at the company's discretion. Also Read: Sergey Brin Comes Out Of Retirement To Work On Gemini, Admits He Made A 'Lot Of Mistakes' With Google Glass As Alphabet Ramps Up To Compete With Meta And Apple Chen sees the partnership as a strong signal of Warby Parker's long-term commitment to innovation and its potential to continue disrupting the eyewear industry. According to the analyst, Warby Parker's AI-powered glasses initiative with Google must succeed by leveraging advanced, context-aware AI, integrating seamlessly with everyday tools like Google Maps, and featuring versatile, stylish designs. Chen highlights that Warby's strong "direct-to-consumer" model and customer service could further enhance the offering, potentially boosting traffic to its 287 existing stores and increasing brand visibility and customer growth. Over the long term, Chen sees the partnership improving customer lifetime value, encouraging broader wearable tech development, and reinforcing Warby's tech-forward, customer-centric approach. Get StartedEarn 7.2% -- No Matter What the Fed Does Markets expect rate cuts -- but your earnings don't have to suffer. Lock in 7.2% until 2028 from ten individual bonds. Get Started The analyst estimates the U.S. smart glasses market could reach $2-$4 billion by 2030, compared to Warby Parker's current ~$800 million revenue. Reflecting the expanded total addressable market and acquisition potential, Chen raised his price forecast, implying a 23x EV/EBITDA multiple on FY26E estimates. The analyst views Warby Parker's status as a public benefit corporation as a strategic advantage, aligning profit growth with its global mission to make high-quality vision care more accessible. He points to the company's long-term financial model, which targets over 20% annual revenue growth, gross margins in the 58% to 60% range, and EBITDA margin gains of around 20%, with steady annual expansion of 1 to 2 percentage points. Price Action: WRBY shares are trading higher by 3.05% to $20.96 at last check Wednesday. Read Next: Mark Zuckerberg Warns Of 'Serious Disadvantage' As China's Data-Center Blitz Could Let DeepSeek Leapfrog US AI Labs Image by Ritu Manoj Jethani via Shutterstock WRBYWarby Parker Inc$20.551.03%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum61.10Growth77.11Quality-Value54.74Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Why Warby Parker Stock Raced 16% Higher on AI News Tuesday | The Motley Fool

That tech company is none other than Google owner Alphabet (GOOG -1.63%) (GOOGL -1.63%). Warby Parker revealed in a press release that it is teaming with Google to develop a line of advanced eyeglasses that harness artificial intelligence (AI) technology. These products would be suitable for everyday use. Warby Parker and Google intend to launch the first of these products after this year. In the press release, the former company did not get more specific. As for the business arrangement between the pair, Google is committing up to $75 million to cover its partner's development and commercialization expenses. It's also pledged to a direct investment into Warby Parker, again of up to $75 million. The latter is contingent upon Warby Parker's option, and the achievement of certain, unspecified collaboration milestones. It's exciting that Warby Parker has teamed with a tech behemoth like Google, especially considering Alphabet's eager pursuit of -- and financial commitment to -- developing useful and potentially groundbreaking new technology. A possible cash infusion of as much as $150 million is quite the sweetener, too. While details are lacking for this project at the moment, it's indisputably a boon for the eyeglass maker. Investors are right to be hot on the stock following this news.

Google to Partner With Eyewear Brands on AI-Equipped Smart Glasses | PYMNTS.com

The firm said this in a Tuesday blog post announcing that it has partnered with eyewear brands Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to create Android XR-equipped glasses that are stylish and comfortable enough to wear all day. In the future, it will add other partners. "What if your AI assistant could see the world from your perspective and offer hands-free help? That's the vision driving our latest advancements in Android XR," Shahram Izadi, vice president and general manager, Android XR at Google, wrote in the post. "It's the first Android platform built in the Gemini era, and it powers an ecosystem of headsets, glasses and everything in between." The addition of Gemini to glasses will make a "giant leap forward" in the smart glasses Google has been working on for the past decade, Izadi wrote. These glasses will be equipped with a camera, microphone and speakers and will work with the user's phone to enable access to apps without having to hold the phone, according to the post. With these tools and capabilities, Android XR-equipped smart glasses will privately provide information to the user when needed through an optional in-lens display; understand the user's context by joining AI with tools that see and hear; provide live language translation; and help with tasks like messaging friends, making appointments, asking for directions and taking photos, per the post. To create these smart glasses, Google has extended its existing partnership with Samsung to include glasses as well as headsets, according to the post. "Together, we're creating a software and reference hardware platform that will enable the ecosystem to make great glasses," Izadi wrote. "Developers will be able to start building for this platform later this year." Google introduced Android XR in December, saying that it developed the operating system in collaboration with Samsung and that Android XR will first launch on headsets built by Samsung.

Warby Parker stock soars on Google AI glasses partnership By Investing.com

Investing.com -- Warby Parker Inc (NYSE:WRBY) shares surged 17.8% following the announcement of a strategic partnership with tech giant Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) to develop AI-powered eyewear. The collaboration signifies a bold move into the next generation of computing, integrating Warby Parker's eyewear design with Google's advanced technology ecosystem. The New York-based lifestyle brand, known for its direct-to-consumer approach, will work closely with Google to create smart glasses that offer all-day wearability. Warby Parker's co-founders expressed enthusiasm for the venture, emphasizing the potential of multimodal AI to revolutionize the wearer's interaction with their environment. Google's commitment to the partnership includes up to $75 million designated for product development and commercialization, along with a potential equity investment of a similar amount, contingent on achieving certain milestones. This financial backing reflects a long-term investment in Warby Parker's vision and marks the first eyewear collaboration for Android XR. The companies anticipate launching their initial line of intelligent eyewear after 2025, which will feature both prescription and non-prescription lenses equipped with AI capabilities. This initiative aligns with Warby Parker's history of leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences and Google's expertise in creating innovative products. The announcement has evidently resonated with investors, as Warby Parker's stock has experienced a significant uptick. The market's reaction underscores the strategic importance of the partnership, which could redefine the intersection of technology and personal accessories.

Warby Parker Inc. Partners with Google to Develop Intelligent Eyewear

Warby Parker Inc. announced a partnership with Google to develop AI-powered glasses intended for all-day wear. The partnership will combine Warby Parker's signature approach to eyewear design with Google's technology ecosystem, bringing the next generation of computing to a new form factor: glasses. The partners' first line of intelligent eyewear, planned to launch after 2025, will incorporate multimodal AI with prescription and non-prescription lenses. As part of this collaboration, Google has committed up to $75 million for Warby Parker's product development and commercialization costs. In addition, Google has committed to investing up to $75 million in Warby Parker, at Warby Parker's option and subject to reaching certain collaboration milestones.

Google invests $150 million in collaboration with Warby Parker to develop AI glasses 

During Google I/O 2025, Google announced it will invest up to in a collaboration with eyewear brand Warby Parker to develop smart glasses with artificial intelligence, based on the Android XR platform. This collaboration marks another move by Google into the wearable technology market, following previous efforts such as Google Glass. Google's investment consists of two parts: 75 million is allocated directly to product development and commercialization costs. In addition, there is a contingent investment of another 75 million, which will allow Google to take an equity stake in depending on achieving certain milestones. The new smart glasses will be equipped with multimodal AI functionality, including voice-activated assistance via Google's Gemini AI, augmented reality capabilities, and support for both prescription and non-prescription lenses. The glasses are designed for everyday use and will offer features such as navigation, messaging and real-time translation. The first line of these smart glasses is expected after 2025. Prototypes are currently being tested by selected users, but details on price and availability have not yet been announced.