IXI's autofocus glasses are one step closer to reality

09/26/2025 Wearable Tech

Forget those bulky smart glasses you've seen around. Autofocus lenses could seriously change the game, offering a slick, high-tech upgrade from those old-school bifocals. You know, the ones where you have to stare through a specific part of the lens to see near or far? It's a hassle!

The Finnish startup IXI is taking things up a notch. They're developing glasses with built-in eye-tracking tech and LCDs. These glasses can automatically adjust focus based on what you're looking at – just like regular glasses. Plus, they look pretty normal, way more so than Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses with their thick frames.

IXI isn't quite ready to start selling these just yet. However, they just announced a big step forward. They've bought the lens manufacturing company Finnsusp and teamed up with OptiSwiss in a long-term partnership.

Why This Matters

While IXI isn't the only one working on this tech - I remember seeing ViXion01's Star Trek-esque glasses last year at CES - they seem closest to making autofocus glasses that don't look weird. Sure, they're not as flashy as Meta's stuff, but that might be a good thing. IXI's low-key approach could win over older folks. After all, not everyone wants to look like a tech guru, but the idea of glasses that make your eyes feel younger? That's appealing!

IXI's CEO, Niko Eiden, mentioned they've developed "the world's lowest power eye-tracking" to make this possible. They've managed to squeeze tiny batteries into the frames that last a full day. You'll probably charge them overnight by plugging a cable into the temple area. If the battery dies, they still work as regular far-sighted glasses.

With the Finnsusp deal, IXI can start making small batches of glasses for testing. The OptiSwiss partnership should help them scale up for the wider market later on. Eiden isn't talking pricing or availability yet, but expects it to be "high end."

I think that, unlike those hyped-up smart glasses, IXI is targeting people who already wear glasses and would appreciate the convenience of autofocus lenses. Let's be real, our eyesight isn't getting any better as we age. I think that the company is on the right path.