World’s First Autofocus Glasses May Replace Reading Specs
▼ Summary
– Finnish startup IXI developed the world’s first autofocus glasses, targeting vision correction rather than smart features like Meta or Apple.
– IXI’s glasses use eye-tracking sensors and liquid crystal lenses to autofocus in 0.2 seconds, offering a full field of vision without distortions.
– The company aims to replace bifocal and progressive lenses, addressing limitations like narrow reading zones and edge distortions.
– IXI faces challenges like optical clarity, wearability, and regulatory approvals but sees potential in the $200bn eyewear market.
– Competing with startups like Laclarée and Elcyo, IXI plans to expand R&D and team size, with live demos expected later in 2024.
Imagine never needing separate reading glasses again. While tech giants focus on flashy smartglasses packed with cameras and AI, a Finnish startup is tackling a more fundamental problem: helping people see clearly at any distance without switching eyewear. IXI, founded in 2021, has developed what it claims are the world’s first autofocus prescription glasses, aiming to revolutionize vision correction.
Unlike augmented reality headsets or camera-equipped smartglasses, IXI’s innovation lies in its simplicity. The frames house a low-power sensor that tracks eye movements by emitting light pulses and measuring reflections. This data adjusts the lenses in real time, shifting focus seamlessly between near and far objects with a lag of just 0.2 seconds. The secret? A liquid crystal layer between plastic sheets that bends light differently when an electric current is applied.
Traditional bifocal and progressive lenses have limitations—narrow reading zones, edge distortions, and awkward transitions. IXI’s autofocus tech promises a full field of clear vision, eliminating these compromises. The sleek design resembles ordinary glasses, with all components discreetly integrated into the frame.
The startup, led by Nokia and Varjo veteran Niko Eiden, acknowledges hurdles ahead. Ensuring optical clarity, durability, and compliance with medical standards remains critical before commercialization. Competitors like France’s Laclarée and Japan’s Elcyo are also exploring similar tech, but none have brought a product to market yet.
With $36 million in funding, IXI is scaling up its 50-person team and building advanced lab facilities. Live demos are expected later this year, offering a glimpse of what could become the next leap in eyewear. As Eiden puts it, transitioning from static to dynamic lenses isn’t just innovative—it’s inevitable.
The timing couldn’t be better. The $200 billion global eyewear market grows steadily as screen-heavy lifestyles worsen vision worldwide. If IXI succeeds, it could bridge the gap between high-tech wearables and everyday optical needs, proving that sometimes, the most impactful innovations are the ones you can barely see.
(Source: The Next Web)
