Finnish startup IXI has announced that it has raised $36.5 million in a Series A funding round to develop smart glasses with automatic vision correction. The company’s founders were previously involved in Varjo, a mixed reality helmet developer that has raised over $200 million in investment. Their experience also includes work on the technologies that formed the basis of Microsoft HoloLens.
IXI, formerly known as Pixieray, focused on the glasses as a medical device rather than an augmented reality product. “The AR/VR market has not yet met expectations, while vision correction remains an unsolved problem for millions,” explained CEO Nico Eiden. The glasses use liquid crystal lenses and an eye-tracking module that automatically adjusts to the focal distance. Exact technical details are not disclosed, but the cost of the device will be comparable to a top-of-the-line iPhone – a premium but affordable solution.
The main audience of the product is people with myopia, progressive lens users, as well as those who have experienced a deterioration of vision after laser correction. Aiden, who has undergone repeat surgery himself, emphasized: “Our goal is to offer technology that doesn’t just supplement reality, but corrects its deficiencies.” When the battery is depleted, the lenses will retain dioptres for distance, but the near correction function will be temporarily disabled. The glasses will last about two days.
IXI’s competitors, including Japan’s Elcyo and France’s Laclariee, have yet to achieve a similar level of miniaturization. The Vixion device, for example, features bulky camera-like lenses. “What makes IXI unique is the invisible integration of technology. The glasses look like ordinary glasses, but inside is a sophisticated optical system,” said Chief Operating Officer Jussi Havu.
Amazon, which is participating in the round, sees the project as part of its strategy to develop medical and logistics solutions. In November 2024, the company announced glasses for couriers that speed up parcel sorting. Paul Bernard of Alexa Fund said, “On-demand vision correction is the next step in personalized medicine. IXI combines deep expertise in optics and algorithms, which is rare even in Silicon Valley.”
The prototype glasses are expected to be unveiled by the end of 2025. Regulatory approvals, including certification as a medical device, will be required to bring it to market. The team is confident of success: “The consumer electronics market is valued at $200 billion, and eyewear remains its last unexplored segment,” Aiden added.
