Industry News
IXI Redefines Continuously Focusing Eyewear with Seamless Vision
Finnish startup IXI turned heads at SILMO Paris with its prototype for continuously focusing smart eyewear, a technology that could transform how presbyopia and other refractive conditions are managed. The buzz comes months after EyeSmart reported in May 2025 that IXI had secured US$36.5 million in Series A funding, led by Plural and supported by investors including the Amazon Alexa Fund and Eurazeo. The funding is set to fast-track the commercialisation of IXI's Adaptive Eyewear, which leverages eye-tracking sensors and liquid crystal lenses for real-time, dynamic focus adjustment. Recently, EyeSmart spoke with CEO Niko Eiden about the company’s technological roadmap, production strategy, and how IXI’s adaptive-lens platform stands out among emerging solutions in the field.
A Holistic Approach to Autofocus Vision
“We wanted to solve this in a very elegant way,” says Niko Eiden. Unlike existing adaptive eyewear such as Morrow or Laclarée, which use switchable or fluidic lenses, IXI has taken what Eiden calls a holistic approach: combining eye tracking with fully tunable liquid crystal lenses to achieve real-time, gaze-based autofocus.
“Others use head position or distance sensors. We use the eyes themselves. That gives us much higher certainty that we’re providing the right correction power,” Eiden explains. The system now achieves transition speeds of under 100 milliseconds, offering a smooth, camera-like shift between near and far vision.
Built Like Real Eyewear — Inside and Out
From the outset, IXI focused on form factor and ergonomics. The frames look and feel like standard eyewear, a deliberate design goal. “All technology sits in the front of the frame, not in the temples,” Eiden notes. “That gives us better weight balance and a design that’s indistinguishable from normal glasses.”
The temples only house the battery and power management, while microcontrollers, Bluetooth antennas, and eye-tracking sensors are embedded in the bridge and lens edges. The company uses plastic injection molding with overmolded electronics, allowing sealed, mass-producible frames without visible seams or screws.
Low Power, High Performance
With a power budget of just 10 milliwatts, IXI’s eyewear consumes roughly 100 times less power than many current smartglasses. The compact battery, similar in size to an Apple AirPods cell, supports a full day of use. “Two days would have been great,” Eiden concedes, “but a full day and overnight charging is realistic. You don’t sleep with glasses anyway.”
From R&D to Production: Building the Supply Chain
After nearly five years of R&D, IXI is transitioning toward production. The company recently acquired Finland’s last lens production line and entered a partnership with Optiswiss, the Swiss lens manufacturer known for its precision and innovation.
“The Finnish site gives us full freedom to modify machines and processes for our adaptive lenses,” Eiden explains. “With Optiswiss, we have a partner ready for high-volume production in Europe. It’s a logical step toward scalability.”
IXI is classifying its product as a medical device (Class I) under MDR, with certification work already in progress.
Targeting the High-End Progressive Segment
Commercial rollout will begin with premium progressive lens users, a market that combines technical curiosity with tolerance for higher price points. “Progressive wearers cope with their lenses but are rarely satisfied,” Eiden notes. “When they try our concept, the interest is immediate the first question is always, ‘When can I get one?’”
Over time, IXI plans to extend its adaptive lens technology to digital eyewear for professionals, myopia management, and potentially dynamic prescriptions that adjust to fatigue or lighting. “With eye tracking, we can detect when your eyes stop focusing,” Eiden says. “That opens up possibilities for automatic prescription adjustment though not in the first generation for regulatory reasons.”
A Competitive Yet Collaborative Field
Eiden views other adaptive eyewear startups as “colleagues more than competitors.” While IXI, Morrow, and Laclarée use different technical paths, all are pushing the industry toward a future where vision correction becomes active and personalised.
“Somebody has to crack autofocus eyewear,” he says. “Companies have tried for 15 years. We believe our timing and integration level are finally right.”
Looking Ahead
IXI plans to begin limited market introductions in 2026 through traditional optical retail channels, emphasising that consumers should be able to try the glasses before purchase. For Eiden, the future of eyewear is clear: “We’re moving toward a world where the eyewear adapts to the user, not the other way around.”
