Meta Waveguide Provider Claims “world’s first” 70° FoV Waveguide

Lumus, the company behind the waveguide optic technology in Meta’s Ray-Ban Display smart glasses, has unveiled a new design at CES 2026 boasting a 70° field-of-view. This aligns with Meta’s previous achievement with its ‘Orion’ prototype, showcasing the potential of novel materials in pushing the boundaries of AR optics.

The Latest Development

In 2024, Meta introduced the Orion AR glasses prototype, highlighting its compact form-factor housing a 70° field-of-view. This feat was made possible by utilizing waveguide optics crafted from silicon carbide, a material known for its high refractive index enabling wider field-of-view capabilities.

Fast forward to 2025, Meta addressed the manufacturing challenges associated with silicon carbide waveguides, emphasizing the need for cost-effective scalability. While progress was noted, ongoing efforts were acknowledged to optimize production processes.

Lumus, the key player in developing waveguides for Meta’s Ray-Ban Display glasses, now announces a breakthrough with a 70° field-of-view in its glass waveguides, claiming the title of the “world’s first geometric waveguide surpassing a 70° FOV.”

At CES 2026, Lumus showcases the ZOE waveguide, boasting similarities to its predecessors with a focus on ZOE optics. Notably, Lumus prototypes typically omit on-board hardware, hinting at potential sleek designs for future products utilizing ZOE technology.

Insights and Analysis

Speculation arises on the intentional alignment of Lumus’ 70° field-of-view with Meta’s Orion prototype, suggesting a strategic objective to demonstrate waveguide capabilities without silicon carbide. The ZOE optic’s production process mirrors that of Lumus’ existing waveguides, indicating scalability and reliability—a crucial factor evidenced in Ray-Ban Display adoption by Meta.

Lumus’ ZOE waveguide emerges as a top contender for Meta’s upcoming wide field-of-view AR glasses slated for release pre-2030. While field-of-view is a significant metric, optical performance trade-offs such as brightness and visual artifacts must be considered. The true innovation behind the ZOE optic remains to be seen, prompting further exploration at AWE 2026 and direct inquiries to Lumus for deeper insights.