EssilorLuxottica Acquires French XR Startup Lynx, Putting R2 Headset Release in Doubt

EssilorLuxottica has acquired the French XR hardware startup Lynx. This move marks the end of Lynx as an independent company after years of struggle in the hardware market. Founder Stan Larroque confirmed that the deal includes all company intellectual property, assets, and most of the staff members who are now transitioning to the eyewear giant.

The future of the Lynx-R2 mixed reality headset remains unclear. The device was scheduled for release earlier this year but now faces uncertainty under its new ownership. EssilorLuxottica maintains a significant partnership with Meta regarding smart glasses, which suggests that a standalone competitor product might not fit into their current strategic plans.

This acquisition follows the judicial liquidation of the Lynx parent company, SL Process, which began in March 2026. Restructuring efforts had failed after the startup struggled to secure sufficient capital to compete in the demanding XR landscape. Despite initial promise and a successful Kickstarter campaign for the first-generation R1 headset, the company operated on a limited budget that made long-term viability difficult to maintain.

Stan Larroque is moving on from the company he founded in 2019. He is joining the drone manufacturer Parrot in a leadership role. The transition of the Lynx team and technology into EssilorLuxottica will occur over the coming months as legal processes finalize.