Kering, the parent company of Gucci, is set to elevate its partnership with Google by incorporating Android XR to boost excitement in the wearable device sector, aiming to challenge major rivals next year with a planned launch.
The fashion and technology industries are watching closely as Kering, a global luxury group, announced a collaboration with Google to develop smart glasses, with plans to launch and sell them in 2027.
Luca de Meo, Kering's CEO, views expanding into wearable technology as key to generating new revenue streams and reducing reliance solely on the volatile fashion cycle. Moreover, the smart glasses project will help revive Gucci's brand, restoring strong profit margins after recent sales slowdowns.
The smart glasses developed through the partnership between Google and Gucci will operate on the Android XR platform and will be equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker to support AI functionality.
Notably, this move makes Gucci a luxury brand entering the AI glasses market, directly challenging EssilorLuxottica, which is currently partnered with Meta to produce Ray-Ban glasses.
However, de Meo emphasized that as Gucci steps into high-tech, it will maintain its classic style to ensure the product is both a smart technological device and a high-fashion accessory.