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Meta\u2019s throwing more money into the metaverse with its acquisition of Luxexcel, a Netherlands-based company that specializes in 3D-printing prescription lenses for smart glasses. The news was first reported by Dutch outlet De Tijd<\/em><\/a> (via TechCrunch<\/em><\/a>), but Meta has since confirmed to The Verge<\/em> that it purchased the company.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe\u2019re excited that the Luxexcel team has joined Meta, deepening the existing partnership between the two companies,\u201d Meta says in a statement provided by Ryan Moore, the company\u2019s head of financial communications. While the terms of the deal are unknown, Meta CTO and Reality Labs head, Andrew Bosworth, revealed in a blog post<\/a> earlier this month that the company\u2019s pouring \u201cabout half\u201d of the metaverse-focused<\/a> division\u2019s operating expenses into augmented reality (AR), while the other half\u2019s going to building virtual reality products (VR) as it continues to bleed billions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Luxexcel, which was founded in 2009, says it can integrate the elements needed to create an augmented reality experience within a prescription lens, such as holographic film and projectors. In 2021, it partnered with WaveOptics<\/a>, the company that provides the displays for Snap\u2019s Spectacles<\/a>, to create a lens outfitted with waveguides, or the transparent display technology needed to superimpose virtual objects on a user\u2019s real-life environment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Even as Meta works toward building its first pair of AR glasses, we may not see a finished product for some time. Bosworth says Meta\u2019s AR glasses will \u201crequire years of progress\u201d as it attempts to make the device \u201cslimmer, lighter, faster, and more powerful.\u201d In June, The Verge<\/em>\u2019s Alex Heath reported<\/a> that the first version of Meta\u2019s AR glasses will only be available to developers \u2014 just like Snap\u2019s Spectacles<\/a> \u2014 while two later pairs could become available to consumers over the course of several years. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n