Saturday, March 20, 2010
PixelOptics unveils electronic eyewear
The latest from The Ticker blog
PixelOptics, based in Roanoke County, revealed Friday in New York City the brand name for its new electronic, auto-focusing eyeglasses: emPower. The announcement came at the International Vision Expo.
PixelOptics has spent about a decade developing the glasses, which the company says autofocus faster than the blink of an eye and correct for "near focus" problems that affect many people in middle age. The company has said the eyeglasses provide consumers a better alternative to bifocals and progressive addition lenses.
PixelOptics plans to launch emPower in regional test markets later this year, with a national launch anticipated in early 2011. The company, headed by Roanoke inventor, optometrist and entrepreneur Ron Blum, also outlined partners that will help bring the product to market.
They are Aspex Eyewear, a manufacturer of eyeglass frames; Shamir Optical Industry, providing necessary software to optical laboratories; Transitions Optical, a technology partner; and Panasonic Shikoku Electronics, a Panasonic company.
-- Duncan Adams
