MILAN, July 16 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms ( META ) and

EssilorLuxottica's new generation of smart glasses

have sold more in a few months than the old ones did in two

years, EssilorLuxottica's Chief Executive said on Tuesday.

The Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses went on the market last

October, allowing users to livestream directly from the glasses

to followers on Facebook and Instagram. The smart glasses have

Meta AI built in, with the ability to give information on the

item a user is looking at.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The first version of smartglasses, born from the

collaboration between Meta and Essilorluxottica, were reported

to have struggled to catch on with consumers.

KEY QUOTES

EssilorLuxottica's CEO Francesco Milleri said that the first

generation of smart glasses, called Ray-Ban Stories, paved the

way for the success of the new generation of smart glasses.

"Today people's expectations are clearer.. hence the success

of the second generation," Milleri said on the sidelines of an

event in Milan.

The AI feature on the Meta's Ray-Ban is restricted to the US

and not allowed in Europe at the moment.

"In Europe we are waiting for the decision of the new

Artificial Intelligence Act, which we hope will arrive soon",

Milleri added.

EssilorLuxottica's CEO added that Meta was a "key partner"

for the company and that his group's brands can be "a cultural

intermediary to bring technology to people".