Finland’s IXI is making waves in the prescription eyewear industry by harnessing innovative eye-tracking and liquid crystal lens technologies. This Helsinki-based startup, which has just removed its stealth status, recently secured $36.5 million in funding from a roster of investors, including the Amazon Alexa Fund, to advance its first commercial product focused on addressing presbyopia, or far-sightedness.
Founded four years ago by Niko Eiden and Ville Miettinen, both of whom previously contributed to groundbreaking work at Nokia, IXI aims to revolutionise eyewear technology. The current eyewear market is valued at over $200 billion and is expanding rapidly, outpacing the growth of smartwatches and smartphones. Eiden describes eyewear as “the last great frontier,” hinting at the immense potential for innovation in a traditionally overlooked sector.
IXI’s approach to eyewear sets it apart from competitors. While many brands pursue augmented and virtual reality glasses, IXI focuses on eyewear as a critical medical device. The company’s glasses will use a small built-in device to track the wearer’s eyes, coupled with liquid crystal lenses that automatically adjust for optimal focus. This innovation offers a single pair of glasses capable of accommodating both near and far vision, aiming to simplify the eyewear experience for consumers.
Currently, IXI’s prototypes show promise, featuring a battery life estimated at two days, ensuring users can maintain clear vision even if the electronic functions fail. Past efforts in autofocusing eyewear have often fallen short, making IXI’s seamless design particularly noteworthy. Although other companies like Elcyo and Laclarée are also innovating in this space, IXI aims to deliver a more polished product first.
Investors are drawn to IXI’s promise, recognising the team’s executive skills and prior successes in advanced optics and technology. Eiden has a historical connection with Amazon’s leadership, facilitating swift investment. Paul Bernard from the Alexa Fund emphasised the unique nature of IXI’s technology, which could bring ‘on-demand vision-correction’ to market, addressing the clumsiness of existing solutions.
IXI plans to disclose its prototypes later this year, although a specific launch date remains unconfirmed. The company has filed several patents to protect their invention, highlighting their serious commitment to transforming how people correct their vision. With strong investor backing and a clear vision, IXI is poised to break new ground in the eyewear market, potentially creating a future where technology fundamentally alters the way we perceive the world.
Fanpage: TechArena.au
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