CES is the type of show where one is likely to come across all sorts of dorky, Geordi La Forge-esque smart glasses, but some do manage to include some practical features — like ViXion's auto-focus eyewear. The company, which is a spin-off of Japanese optics specialist Hoya, showed off its the ViXion01, at CES 2024, and it's aimed at people who struggle to focus their eyes due to strain, old age or the time of day. After a quick demo, I could also see myself benefitting from it on a daily basis. I even dig the futuristic look on these glasses, which are the work of Japanese design firm, Nendo.
At the heart of the ViXion01 is its front-facing ToF (time of flight) sensor, which lets it measure the distance of your target object and quickly adjust its lenses on the go. The basic concept is similar to a University of Utah prototype that popped up at CES 2017, but ViXion managed to miniaturize and even begin to commercialize it. According to project director Toshiharu Uchiumi, his device will do wonders to enhance fine details in applications like model kit assembly or reading small print.
Initial setup was straightforward. I had to first manually slide both lenses to get a single centered image, then I moved on to the diopter adjustment dial on the right to bring each of my eyeballs into focus, which worked fine despite my myopia of around -4.5 D (you can also set this up in the app via Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity). While the ViXion01 weighs 50 grams, the main circuitry and battery housed on the right made an apparent imbalance, but I didn't have enough time to tweak my fit on the bendable left arm and nose pads.
Otherwise, it was a surprisingly pleasant experience, visual-wise. My eyesight was sharper than usual for both far and close distances (down to two inches), and I didn't feel as much eyestrain as I would usually get when looking at things up close — seemingly ideal for when I work on my Gundam models. The automatic switch between different focal distances felt swift and seamless as well.
There are some caveats, though. First off, ViXion stresses that this is not a medical device, and you should avoid wearing it while driving or exercising — makes sense given the limited field of view due to the black rings housing the lenses. With that in mind, the 10-hour battery life should be sufficient, and then it's a three-hour charge via USB-C. It's also not waterproof, though it is rated IPX3 for water resistance, which can probably tolerate light rain or sweat.
The ViXion01 is now available for pre-order in Japan for 99,000 yen (about $ 690), with shipments expected to begin in February. There's no plan on an overseas launch just yet, but if that ever happens, chances are ViXion will need to come up with a wider version, anyway.
We're reporting live from CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 6-12. Keep up with all the latest news from the show here.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/vixion01-glasses-reduce-eyestrain-by-doing-the-focusing-for-you-205106281.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
I’m really looking forward to having true smart glasses on my face, and wearing the TCL RayNeo Nxtwear S reminded me why I’m so excited.
Digital Trends
The way TCL’s NXTWEAR S smartglasses deal with corrective lenses for spectacle wearers helps answer one of the big questions about the Apple Vision Pro.
Digital Trends
If the Dad or Grad(uate) in your life is spending far too much time in front of a computer screen and suffering from headaches then these glasses from GUNNAR could be just the ticket (and the perfect gift!). Engineered specifically for screen use, GUNNAR glasses don’t just look good, they are also beneficial to eye […]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Save 15% and your Eyes with GUNNAR’s Blue Light Glasses for Dads & Grads
You might want to try the Razer Anzu smart glasses with Best Buy’s $ 140 discount, which makes them affordable at $ 60, less than half the original price of $ 200.
Wearables | Digital Trends
Motorola has introduced a new 5G neckband designed to make your AR glasses and VR headsets (or XR headsets) feel light as a feather.
Mobile | Digital Trends
Amazon hosted a huge hardware event today, and they announced a ton of stuff. Some of these announcements are simply refreshed Echo stuff, but there are some brand new products here that integrate Alexa into your life in legitimately new and exciting ways. Let’s dig in. Amazon Echo learns some new tricks Amazon is updating […]
Come comment on this article: Amazon announced a ton of new Echo hardware today, including an Apple HomePod competitor, smart glasses, and more
Mark Zuckerberg showed off a render of the AR glasses Facebook is working on last year, but he didn't reveal a lot of details about the device. Now, we finally know a bit more about it, thanks to a new patent application filed by members of Oculus' a…
Engadget RSS Feed
Ever wanted to experience what it is like to be a master pianist tickling the ivories? A new video gives a sense of what that might feel like, courtesy of wearable eye-tracking glasses.
The post Eye-tracking glasses reveal what master pianists look at while they play appeared first on Digital Trends.
Apple might be looking to get in on a risky market where Google famously failed with its botched Google Glass project. According to rumors, Apple is currently exploring smart glasses as part of a push into augmented reality.
The post Apple could be planning new wearables, starting with Carl Zeiss smart glasses appeared first on Digital Trends.
Check out our roundup of the coolest crowdfunding projects and product announcements that hit the web this week. You can’t buy this stuff yet, but there’s no denying that it’s fun to gawk!
The post Awesome tech you can’t buy yet: Smart glasses and a bed that makes itself appeared first on Digital Trends.
Apple might be looking to get in on a risky market where Google famously failed with its botched Google Glass project. According to rumors, Apple is currently exploring smart glasses as part of a push into augmented reality.
The post Apple could be planning new wearables push, starting with smart glasses appeared first on Digital Trends.
Carnegie Mellon University researchers recently conducted a study that concluded the right pair of glasses could trick facial-recognition software into thinking you are someone else.
The post Sunglasses won’t fool facial recognition, but colorful patterned glasses will appeared first on Digital Trends.
Fuel3D, a 3D scanning company, has developed an impressive new smart technology for retail optical locations that makes finding a pair of spectacles that fit perfectly as simple as glancing in the mirror.
The post Want to find glasses that fit perfectly? Look into this 3D-scanning smart mirror appeared first on Digital Trends.
With $ 50, an iPhone, and a pair of glasses that look like Benjamin Franklin’s bifocals, you can add some depth to your videos, thanks to Elsewhere. The iOS app comes with a pair of spectacles.
The post Elsewhere’s app and glasses make videos pop out in 3D appeared first on Digital Trends.
Facebook’s 10-year roadmap includes a huge push into virtual reality — but also a move into augmented reality. CEO Mark Zuckerberg gave us a peek at a normal-looking pair of glasses, that will soon offer a new way to communicate with each other.
The post Zuckerberg’s vision for the future of VR is ordinary glasses with extraordinary powers appeared first on Digital Trends.
Snapchat could soon come out with a pair of smart glasses of its own. It’s recently made a number of key hires in the wearable tech hardware business. The company seems to be following in Facebook’s footsteps, which bought Oculus in 2014.
The post You could soon be wearing a pair of Snapchat smart glasses appeared first on Digital Trends.
Kopin has revealed the Solos, a pair of smart glasses aimed at cyclists. It takes voice commands and pairs with a smartphone and activity trackers to display real-time stats.
The post Kopin’s new heads-up Solos glasses shows your cycling stats in real time appeared first on Digital Trends.