Independent eyecare providers may face new competitive pressures as Google plans to release its first artificial intelligence-powered glasses in 2026. The Alphabet-owned company is collaborating with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker on the hardware design, with a $150 million commitment from Warby Parker announced earlier this year, according to reporting from CNBC.

The glasses will include audio-only models that interact with Google’s Gemini AI assistant, as well as in-lens display glasses that show navigation directions, language translations, and other information. The devices will run on Google’s Android XR operating system. Warby Parker confirmed that its first glasses in partnership with Google are expected to launch in 2026.