Vuzix enters military HMD development deal with L3Harris Technologies...

09 Aug 2022

...while Engo Eyewear launches lightweight HUD for endurance athletes to optimise performance.

Vuzix, a developer of smart glasses and augmented reality technology, has announced that the company has signed an agreement with L3Harris Technologies to develop a customized waveguide-based optics engine for headmounted systems designed for military applications.

The initial development agreed is part of a phased effort that will ultimately address a broad market for U.S. and allied military personnel, say the partners. The customized waveguide-based engine prototypes Vuzix will develop and deliver in 2022 will offer a high brightness, high index waveguide design with a wide field-of-view to provide warfighters with a lightweight see-through display solution.

“L3Harris continues to engage with small-business partners with our focus as an agile technology disruptor,” said Matthew Renzi, Senior Director of Engineering at L3Harris Integrated Vision Solutions. “The technologies Vuzix has developed are well matched for our defense applications and will enable expansion of our current product offerings.”

He added, “This phased development will enhance the daytime augmented reality capabilities of existing L3Harris products. Partnering with Vuzix ensures manufacturing of components critical to the growth and advancement of our technology remains firmly rooted in the United States.”

Paul Travers, President and CEO at Vuzix, said, “This agreement with an industry leader such as L3Harris represents another vote of confidence in our capabilities and recognition of our position within the waveguide optics technology space.”

“Additionally, the agreement continues to demonstrate how effectively Vuzix has been able to leverage our industry-leading smart glasses technologies that we have long had in development for the enterprise market.”

Lightweight HUD for athletes

Engo Eyewear has unveiled Engo 2, which it describes as “the lightest, and most technologically advanced eyewear created specifically for endurance athletes.”

Developed to provide intuitive, real-time access to performance data directly in the natural field of view, the system features “ActiveLook 2.0” technology, which the developer says eliminates the need for athletes to break stride or slow down to look at a watch or cycling computer.

The smartglasses also offer long-lasting battery life and can be used for 10-12 consecutive hours before being recharged. Weighing in at just 36 grams, it is claimed to be “the lightest HUD on the market.”

Available in two sizes to fit a variety of face shapes, Engo 2 also features high-definition optics, moisture and dust resistance, impact protection, and 100% ultraviolet protection.

“The ActiveLook 2.0 technology embedded in Engo 2 gives users greater ability to customize the data projected into their field of view based on what is most useful to them,” said Eric Marcellin-Dibon, Engo Eyewear’s CEO. “Garmin users now have the ability to connect an array of compatible watches and cycling computers and configure and view custom data fields directly in Engo 2.”

The product has been endorsed by seven-time Boston Marathon runner, Pam Nisevich-Bede, who says, “By having your pace always available at a glance, there’s no need to question ‘is your exertion correct, is your pace correct?’ It’s right in front of you.” The Engo 2 is available now for pre-order for $329 with orders expected to ship in September 2022.