EssilorLuxottica establishes smart eyewear innovation hub in France
EssilorLuxottica is launching a specialized innovation center in Dijon to accelerate R&D and manufacturing capabilities for smart eyewear and electrochromic technology.
EssilorLuxottica has announced the establishment of a dedicated smart eyewear innovation hub in Dijon, France. This facility is designed to consolidate the company’s R&D efforts in electrochromic lenses and wearable technology, aiming to integrate digital features more effectively into traditional eyewear frames.
The hub will coordinate operations across the company’s existing research sites in Toulouse, Créteil, and Agordo, Italy. By housing a team of over 50 specialists, the center aims to manage the entire value chain—from initial research to industrial-scale production. The company is investing significantly in the Dijon site, which will include new equipment and a clean room to support advanced manufacturing.
Developing smart eyewear presents distinct challenges, requiring the convergence of optical design, hardware integration, and software development. According to CEO Francesco Milleri and Deputy CEO Paul du Saillant, the initiative reflects a shift to integrate digital connectivity into vision care. The company has previously collaborated with institutions like the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) to further these developments.
The hub is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2021. This investment complements the company’s broader infrastructure expansion in France, which includes a new laboratory facility scheduled to support hundreds of staff by 2024.