Photo credit: venturebeat.com
IXI has successfully secured $36.5 million in funding aimed at launching groundbreaking autofocus glasses capable of dynamically correcting vision.
Based in Espoo, Finland, IXI seeks to transform the perception of eyewear from mere medical devices into stylish technological accessories designed for contemporary lifestyles.
The company’s objective is to innovate eyewear that offers optimal vision in all scenarios. By employing advanced technology, IXI glasses will intuitively adjust to the user’s eye movements, automatically focusing for clearer vision—all wrapped in elegantly crafted frames. The first-generation product is currently under development, with further details expected to be released as the launch date approaches.
IXI’s technology is set to disrupt the $200 billion global eyewear market by delivering a broader field of view through a product that mimics the natural functioning of the human eye.
Creating a new category of eyewear, IXI boasts unique real-time and ultra-low-power eye-tracking capabilities alongside innovative dynamic lens systems. Their design-centric approach ensures that these glasses are both intelligent and aesthetically pleasing.
The funding round was spearheaded by the London-based investment firm Plural, with contributions from several sources including Tesi, Heartcore, FOV Ventures, byFounders, French private equity firm Eurazeo, and German investment entity Tiny Supercomputer. Established investors such as the Amazon Alexa Fund, Maki.vc, First Fellow, firstminute capital, David Helgason, Ilkka Paananen, John Lindfors, and the Bragiel Brothers also participated.
This new capital will facilitate the product development of IXI Adaptive Eyewear, initiating commercial operations and enabling consumer access to the innovative product.
Founded in 2021 by Niko Eiden (CEO) and Ville Miettinen (Chief Algorithm Officer), IXI emerged from their previous experience with Varjo, a company recognized for its mixed reality solutions catering to advanced VR industries, including space exploration and aviation.
The inspiration for IXI stems from frustration with the limitations of traditional progressive lenses, which often feature narrow fields of view and distort peripheral vision while making it challenging to see clearly at diverse distances.
The founders’ expertise in advanced optics and eye-tracking technologies motivated them to develop a new class of eyewear that effectively addresses vision correction issues while maintaining stylish design. As populations age and cases of presbyopia rise, many face challenges with multi-focal vision, highlighting a growing global concern.
Niko Eiden expressed, “Eyewear has been around for centuries, embodying the brilliance of science and design. Yet, it’s astonishing to note the lack of significant technological advancements, which leave many to compromise their view of the world. The moment for transformation is upon us. We are ushering in a new era of vision technology, and we eagerly anticipate revealing our innovations. With the backing of visionary investors, we are poised to redefine eyewear.”
Sten Tamkivi, a partner at Plural, remarked, “Niko, Ville, and their team possess unique expertise in European hardware that positions them at the leading edge of advanced optics and eye-tracking technology. They are crafting aesthetically pleasing, virtually invisible technology that paves the way for a new vision paradigm, ultimately enhancing human eyesight. Our investment in IXI embodies our belief in a future where technology revolutionizes our sight experience.”
For those interested in learning more or accessing early information, they can visit: https://ixieyewear.com.
Source
venturebeat.com