The department responsible for virtual and augmented reality technologies at Meta, known as Reality Labs, has undergone a restructuring process. This department will now be divided into two main groups: one focused on the metaverse and the other on wearable devices. Since 2020, Reality Labs has been working on researching and developing products related to virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies, including the hardware under the Quest brand (formerly Oculus).
Meta’s decision to reorganize Reality Labs is aimed at advancing the development of both the metaverse and wearable technology. The new division will consist of two distinct groups: ‘Metaverse’ and ‘Wearables’. The ‘Metaverse’ group will focus on core work in future technologies while the ‘Wearables’ group will be dedicated to hardware, excluding Quest headsets. Some Reality Labs employees have been let go as part of these changes, although the exact number has not been disclosed.
The interest in promoting accessories like Meta’s second generation smart glasses launched in partnership with Ray-Ban seems to be driving these changes. These smart glasses now support the Meta AI assistant. This shift in organizational structure reflects Meta’s commitment to advancing virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies as they work towards creating a more immersive and innovative future.