New €900,000 call for joint R&D projects between Cyprus and Israel

A new call for proposals with a total budget of €900,000 has been announced by the Cyprus Research and Innovation Foundation (RIF) in collaboration with the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA).

As stated in a RIF press release, the call provides an opportunity for Cypriot enterprises and research organisations to collaborate with companies from Israel to jointly develop innovative solutions in the fields of digital technologies, advanced materials, agri-food, marine and maritime systems, renewable energy, space technologies, health and environment.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

It is added that the submission of proposals for the Cyprus Network is conducted via the IRIS portal and the deadline is Wednesday, 30 October 2024, with interested parties invited to contact for more information the Foundation’s Partner Support Centre at +35722205000 or by email at support@research.org.cy and visit the link

It is noted that the call is co-funded by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027”.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Smart Glass Revolution: EssilorLuxottica And Meta Propel Wearable Innovation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 17, 2025

Partnership Driving Growth

EssilorLuxottica has reported robust revenue growth in the third quarter, fueled by its strategic collaboration with Meta. As detailed during the earnings call, the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses significantly boosted the company’s wearable product category. With a year-over-year sales increase of 11.7% to 6.9 billion euros, more than 4 percentage points of that growth is directly attributable to the wearables segment.

Innovative Product Launches

The partnership, initiated in 2019, has expanded to include major brands under the Luxottica umbrella, such as Oakley and ongoing collaborations with Prada. The recent Meta Connect event in Menlo Park featured exciting new releases, including the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses with a unique neural-powered wristband, along with the $499 Oakley Meta Vanguard and $379 Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) glasses. These products underscore a significant shift towards smart, internet-connected eyewear that leverages Meta’s AI-powered digital assistant.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Market Trends And Future Outlook

EssilorLuxottica’s CFO, Stefano Grassi, expressed strong optimism for the near-term outlook, driven by the launch of diverse new products stemming from the Meta Connect event. With wearables anticipated to eventually replace many functionalities of today’s smartphones, the company is poised to accelerate its capacity to meet growing demand, aiming to surpass the previously set target of 10 million units by the end of 2026.

Competitive Landscape

The smart glasses market is witnessing intense competition, with tech heavyweights such as Alphabet, Alibaba, Apple, and OpenAI making their entry. Alphabet, for instance, recently announced a $150 million investment with Warby Parker, while Alibaba unveiled its own AI-powered smart glasses featuring the Quark digital assistant. This flurry of activity underscores a broader industry trend towards the integration of wearable technology with advanced AI capabilities.

Conclusion

EssilorLuxottica’s robust performance and strategic initiatives with Meta highlight a pivotal moment in consumer electronics and wearable innovation. As smart glasses continue to evolve into multifunctional digital devices, both legacy and emerging brands are set to redefine how personal technology converges with everyday life.

Breaking news