Finnish eyewear company IXI is set to launch smart glasses that resemble regular eyewear but feature “autofocus” technology based on the wearer’s needs. These glasses use eye-tracking sensors and liquid crystals in the lenses to instantly adjust prescriptions, promising a significant improvement over traditional bifocal or variable focus lenses, which often have drawbacks such as distortion and a limited viewing channel.
Bifocals contain two distinct areas for distance and near vision, while variable focus lenses aim for smoother transitions but can be costly and require adjustment. IXI’s approach eliminates fixed magnification areas, creating a larger reading zone and allowing users to see far throughout the entire lens, mimicking youthful vision.
With 75 employees and over $40 million raised, the glasses will be available next year at a higher price point, although details aren’t specified. They will need more frequent charging and may have some visual distortion, but their design won’t significantly differ from regular glasses in appearance or weight.
User eye tracking is achieved through photodiodes and LEDs, measuring reflections to assess the user’s focus. While other companies are developing similar technologies, IXI aims to innovate a stagnant market for vision correction. The glasses will first launch in Europe pending regulatory approval, followed by the U.S. and other countries.
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