A Key First Step For A Smart Contact Future Just Happened
We’re still a long way from Smart AR lenses, but we’re a little closer as of today
The dream tech for augmented reality isn’t smart specs — we all saw what happened with Google Glass — it’s smart contact lenses.
While it will be years before such a thing comes to market, there are certain steps that need to take place. For starters, it would help if a contact lens maker got together with one of the companies leading the charge on the computer side of the technology.
Which is what happened today, as Japan’s “first and largest contact lens manufacturer” Menicon and Northern California based Mojo Vision, who are developing what they aim to be “the first true smart contact lens” entered into a joint development agreement.
This first step is all about feasibility, as the press release below lays out.
What does that mean for all you immersive creators and fans out there who are looking forward to seeing the world through a brand new lens? Well, it means that our sci-fi dreams took a step closer to being sci-fi reality.
Press Release Follows
Mojo Vision and Menicon Announce Joint Development Agreement on Smart Contact Lens Products
Mojo and Menicon will conduct various feasibility studies on production, manufacturing; explore potential longer-term working relationship
SARATOGA, Calif. — December 8, 2020 — Mojo Vision, the Invisible Computing company, and Menicon, Japan’s first and largest contact lens manufacturer, today announced that both companies have entered into a joint development agreement.
Mojo Vision is developing Mojo Lens, the first true smart contact lens. Menicon is the only company of its kind in the world that is dedicated to all areas of contact lens-related business, including material development, lens designing, manufacturing of lenses and care solutions.
Through the agreement, Mojo and Menicon will conduct a series of feasibility studies that tap the expertise of each company — applying Menicon’s decades of experience in rigid gas permeable lens R&D and manufacturing to Mojo’s smart contact lens microelectronics, systems integration and consumer products innovation. Areas of collaboration will center around contact lens materials, cleaning, and fitting, among other topics. If the feasibility studies prove successful, Mojo and Menicon may consider a more extensive working relationship in the future.
“Our development agreement with Menicon is a significant step forward for Mojo and Mojo Lens,” said Drew Perkins, CEO and Co-founder of Mojo Vision. “While we continue making progress in developing our smart contact lens technology, our collaboration with Menicon will provide us valuable insights that can accelerate our progress. Menicon’s team of seasoned professionals will bring significant contact lens research and development expertise to Mojo. We look forward to a long, productive working relationship.”
“This agreement with Mojo is a key step forward in our expansion of Menicon’s technology initiatives,” commented Dr. Hidenari Tanaka, President of Menicon Co., Ltd. “Menicon has been a pioneer in contact lenses for 70 years and we constantly strive to improve the quality of life of contact lens wearers worldwide. Mojo is an innovative company with a technology platform and a vision for the future of contact lens wear that aligns with Menicon’s aspirations. We believe that both companies can bring together skill sets and technologies that will support the successful development of a truly breakthrough product.”
Mojo Vision is currently developing the world’s first augmented reality (AR) smart contact lens, called Mojo Lens, backed by years of scientific research and numerous patents on the technology. Mojo Lens overlays images, symbols and text on users’ natural field of vision without obstructing their view, restricting mobility or hindering social interactions.
Mojo is actively working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through its Breakthrough Devices Program, a voluntary program designed to provide safe and timely access to medical devices that can help treat irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions. In April 2020, Mojo announced it had raised more than $51 million in a Series B-1 investment round to propel the development of Mojo Lens, taking the company’s total funding over $159 million to date.
Mojo Lens incorporates a number of breakthroughs and proprietary technologies, including the smallest and densest dynamic display ever made, an ultra power-efficient image sensor built for computer vision, a high-bandwidth, low-power wireless radio, and motion sensors for exceptionally precise eye-tracking and image stabilization. Mojo Lens is still in the research and development phase and is not available for sale anywhere in the world.
About Mojo Vision
Mojo Vision is the Invisible Computing company, dedicated to developing products and platforms that re-imagine the intersection of ideas, information, and people. Mojo is developing Mojo Lens, the first true smart contact lens. Mojo Lens has a built-in display that gives people the useful and timely information they want without forcing them to look down at a screen or losing focus on the people and the world around them. Mojo calls this eyes-up experience Invisible Computing, a platform that enables information to be instantaneous, unobtrusive and available hands-free, and will allow people to interact with each other more freely and genuinely. Founded by technology experts with decades of experience developing pioneering products and platforms and backed by some of the world’s leading technology investors, including NEA, Khosla Ventures, Gradient Ventures, KDDI Open Innovation Fund and others. Mojo believes the future is invisible. Mojo Vision is based in Saratoga, CA.
Learn more about Mojo Vision online at https://mojo.vision.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to the technical, operational and financial benefits of Mojo Vision’s solution. These statements are not guarantees of results and should not be considered as an indication of future activity or future performance. Actual results may vary materially from these expectations as a result of various risks and uncertainties.
About Menicon
Headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, and represented in over 80 countries, Menicon Co., Ltd. is the only contact lens company in the world dedicated to every aspect of the field from material development and lens design to manufacturing of lenses and lens care solutions. Menicon is led by Dr Hidenari Tanaka and as an Ophthalmologist, he has focused on safety as a primary commitment to patients via both products and services, such as the MELS program. Menicon offers an expanding portfolio of innovative lenses, packaging and related products that maximize user comfort and convenience. The company is also the world’s largest producer of gas-permeable contact lenses.
To learn more, please visit www.menicon.com.
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