Boots Opticians has launched two new smart glasses products in a move that signals its move into tech-enhanced eyewear.
From this week, customers at the high street giant will be able to buy Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses — which include built-in AI features like image capture, live translation and voice messaging — as well as Nuance Audio frames, which combine prescription lenses with hearing aid functionality.
Boots UK managing director Anthony Hemmerdinger said the move comes as “the eyewear market continues to evolve”.
“Big news for Boots Opticians this week as we launch Smart Glasses for the first time,” he said in a LinkedIn post.
“The latest tech coming to Boots Opticians is exciting… We’re introducing Nuance Audio frames which have a built-in hearing solution, and Ray-Ban Meta which uses advanced AI, and can capture images, translate text and send messages – both available in our stores from this week.”
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The launch comes as shareholders of the health and beauty giant’s owner Walgreens overwhelmingly agreed to be taken over by American private equity firm Sycamore Partners.
Some 96% of votes were cast in favour of the $10bn (£7.5bn) takeover of Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA), a fraction of the $100bn (£75bn) valuation the chain had almost a decade ago.
WBA expects the deal to complete in the third or fourth quarter of the calendar year following regulatory approval.
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