Zeiss and Deutsche Telekom launch tooz DevKit smart glasses in Germany

06 May 2021

An opportunity for developer community to explore potential and create new applications, say partners.

Optics technologies giant Zeiss has this week announced that its tooz smartglasses development partnership with Deutsche Telekom (“Telekom”) “is on course for success”.

Following its January 2021 introduction in China, the first tooz Smart Glasses development kits for software developers are now available in Germany. The partners stated, “the developer community now has the opportunity to explore the potential of this next generation eyewear for day-to-day use and to create new and innovative apps.”

Since its foundation in 2018, the joint venture has been working on the further enhancement of the optical system and its integration into a mobile smart glasses solution aimed at consumers.

Zeiss stated, “the international tooz team made the initial joint venture vision a reality: all-day glasses with prescription options for consumers, connected seamlessly to a mobile device and enabling innovative use cases in a new ecosystem.”

Dr. Kai Ströder, CEO at tooz, commented, “Due to the full support of both shareholders, the tooz team has overcome challenges and restrictions caused by the pandemic over the past year. We are proud to offer the next generation of our technologies to the community, with a clear hint that there is more to come soon.”

Connected glasses

Tooz added that “innovative companies and institutions like TomTom, adidas Runtastic, Else Kröner Fresenius Center for Digital Health Dresden and many more are already exploring the tooz smart glasses in conjunction with their existing products, services and digital solutions.”

The aim of these collaborations is the development of a new and holistic digital ecosystem and the collection of valuable feedback for the final phase of the tooz product development process. tooz has the aim of launching a serial product beginning of 2022. Connected via Bluetooth to a mobile device, these smart glasses provide virtual content discreetly and only noticeable in the wearer’s field of view. The centerpiece of the solution is the injection-molded optical engine with its several high precision free-form surfaces.

On basis of this innovation, tooz claims to provide “the only curved waveguide lens to the market which allows the integration of correction including individual prescription.” UV and sun protection and photochromic options can be integrated. The lightweight, robust and slim waveguide lenses can be cut and edged in different shapes of frame designs to suit individual style and design preferences of end consumers.

Gerrit Schulte, Head of Zeiss Ventures, commented, “Technology ventures such as tooz benefit from complementary know-how, capabilities and access to external resources. The partnership with Telekom is a perfect fit and we are convinced other partners will join the tooz network on its fast and focused path to launch scalable consumer smart glass solutions.”

Distinct approach

The dominant concept in the smart glass market is the planar light guide made of glass with holographic incoupling and outcoupling of the light. tooz on the other hand developed a curved waveguide that, with its base curve, allows for correction naturally. The technological approach has also other important advantages for everyday use that result in good image quality, high unobtrusiveness, protection of the eye, and low weight. This is explained in the following video: