Deep Optics is presenting its 32°N Sunglasses, the first adaptive focus sunglasses that transition from standard to reading glasses with a swipe, during Vision Expo East.
Company refresh, please.
Founded in 2011 and based in Petah Tikva, Israel, Deep Optics is developing and advancing a new optics technology designed to power eyeglasses that adapt to wearers with various health conditions.
Since launching 32°N, its first commercial product, on Kickstarter in 2021—along with initial investor funding from EssilorLuxottica and Samsung Ventures— the company has collaborated with various industry companies to improve the optical performance and visual experience associated with augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) headsets.
Key to its optics technology: DEEPOPTICS.
Let’s talk about this technology.
The company’s DEEPOPTICS proprietary technology uses pixelated liquid crystal (LC) lenses to dynamically correct vision impairment via novel pixelated liquid crystal (LC) lenses.
These lenses comprise a lightweight LC layer split into millions of tiny pixels—capable of rotation at any point on the panel—creating an unlimited number of dynamic, high-quality lenses that can be adjusted at any moment, according to Deep Optics.
Go on …
With almost no additional weight or bulk added to the sunglasses, this technology enables the LC lenses to perform similarly to a human eye by “allowing a wearer to see what they want when they want,” the company stated.
Now these glasses.
Developed and marketed as the first (and only) dynamic focus glasses, 32°N first debuted at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and recently won for product design (consumer design and wearables) in the 2023 global Dezeen Awards.
And how many different modes are there?
Two: sunglasses and reading.
32°N can alternate between the two by adapting its focus from 0 to 2.5 diopters with a single finger swipe across the temple piece of the frames—activating a small embedded processor that then calculates the user’s personal data—to adjust to the wearer’s eye prescription.
So who are the target patients?
Presbyopes (aged 45+) who:
- Use standard off-the-shelf reading glasses
- Have a reading glasses power between +0.5 and +2.5
- Wear non-prescription sunglasses
The lenses can change a prescription (optical power) without moving or adjusting their shape to electronically accommodate near and far vision—all without the need for multiple pairs of glasses.
How can the prescription be adjusted?
Through the 32ºN Glasses app, downloadable via an Android or iOS phone. The app enables a wearer to:
- Calibrate the glasses to their personal needs
- Monitor the glasses’ battery status, active profiles, and lens states (via Bluetooth)
- Note: When fully charged, the battery is designed to last up to 48 hours of normal use and up to 5 hours of active user mode (when used outside).
Also included for personalization is a lens magnification controlled via the app.
What other features are included?
- Anti-scratch coating
- 100% ultraviolet (UV) protection
- Polarized for enhanced visibility
- Wearable injected polymer frame
- Weight: 45 grams (less than 1 pound)
And where can I order these?
Per the 32°N product site, the glasses are available in two designs:
- 32°N Regular Fit (The Muir Frame)
- 32°N Narrow Fit (The Wharton Frame)
Each pair is currently clocking in at $849 with two color options: black and gray.
Lastly, where can I get a demo?
VVH is on-site at Vision Expo East this weekend, so stop by stand #P1749B in the Exhibit Hall.
See here for more Vision Expo East coverage.
Vision Expo East is being held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, New York, from March 14-17, 2024.