Google Embraces Style: Million-Pound Investment in Smart Glasses with Gentle Monster
Seoel, maandag, 30 juni 2025.
Google’s strategic investment of £100 million in Gentle Monster marks a crucial step in developing AI-powered smart glasses. After the failure of Google Glass in 2012, the company is now focusing on combining advanced technology with stylish design. The collaboration promises a transformation of wearable technology, emphasising the integration of smart features into fashion accessories that appeal to the modern consumer. With this investment, Google positions itself directly against Meta’s existing initiatives in the smart glasses market and demonstrates its ambition to seamlessly weave technology into daily lifestyle products.
Strategic Investment in Smart Technology
Google has made a remarkable strategic investment by investing £100 million in Gentle Monster, acquiring a 4 percent stake in the South Korean eyewear manufacturer [1][3]. This investment frames Google’s ambition to develop AI-powered smart glasses that seamlessly combine technology and design [2].
Return to the Smart Glasses Market
After the failed launch of Google Glass in 2012, the tech company returns with a renewed strategy [4]. The partnership with Gentle Monster, a brand known for its experimental designs, marks a crucial shift towards more stylish and functional wearable technology [5].
Competition with Meta
The investment positions Google directly against Meta’s existing initiatives in the smart glasses market, particularly the partnerships with Ray-Ban and Oakley [6]. The Android XR initiative, announced in December, aims to deliver enhanced computing experiences via smart glasses and headsets [3].