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Vuzix

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Vuzix Corporation
Company typePublic
Nasdaq: VUZI
Russell 2000 Component
FounderPaul Travers
Headquarters
Rochester, New York
,
United States
ProductsM100 Smart Glasses, M300 Smart Glasses, M400 Smart Glasses, Blade Smart Glasses, iWear Video Headphones
OwnerIntel (10%)
State Street KOMP ETF (12%)[1]
Number of employees
90[1]
Websitewww.vuzix.com

Vuzix (/ˈvjuzɪks/) is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Rochester, New York and founded by Paul Travers in 1997. Vuzix is a supplier of wearable virtual reality and augmented reality display technology. Vuzix manufactures and sells computer display devices and software.[2] Vuzix head-mounted displays are marketed towards mobile and immersive augmented reality[3] applications, such as 3D gaming,[4] manufacturing training,[5] and military tactical equipment.[6] On January 5, 2015, Intel acquired 30% of Vuzix's stock for $24.8 million.[7]

The company has offices in New York, Japan, and the UK and is the current market leader for video eyewear.[citation needed] Forte was a pioneer during the mid-1990s developing immersive head mounted displays[8] for virtual reality and video gaming applications.

Vuzix's displays are based on optical waveguides.[9]

History

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Paul Travers founded Vuzix in 1997 in Rochester, NY, under the name Interactive Imaging Systems, purchasing the assets of the virtual reality company Forte Technologies. The company started with products for the military and U.S. Defense, but then developed consumer virtual reality systems. In 1997, the company was hired as a subcontractor to Raytheon, designing display electronics for a digital night vision weapon sight.

In 2000, the VFX1 Headgear was featured in a commemorative US Postal Service stamp collection celebrating the 1990s.[10] The VFX1 was replaced by a higher resolution system dubbed the VFX3D in mid 2000.[11]

In 2001, Vuzix launched its first consumer electronics product, the iCOM personal internet browser.[12]

In 2005, Vuzix provided a custom high resolution handheld display system that created the 3D imagery for Hitachi's pavilion at the 2005 World's Fair in Aichi, Japan. The Hitachi Pavilion allowed users to interact with computer generated models and dioramas of endangered species in a Mixed Reality ride.[13]

In 2005, the company changed its name to Icuiti. Later that year, Icuiti launched its first product designed specifically for consumers, the V920 Video Eyewear.[14]

In 2005, Icuiti was awarded its first military R&D contract to develop a high resolution monocular display device for viewing tactical maps and video. This development would lead to the Tac-Eye product line, which began rate production in 2009 and was used in many major military programs including the Battlefield Air Operations kit.[15]

A re-branding in 2007 changed the company's name from Icuiti to Vuzix.[16]

In 2010, Vuzix introduced the first production model see-through augmented reality glasses, the STAR 1200.[17] It was released in August 2011 for $4999.[18]

Vuzix was under contract with DARPA to design and build a next generation heads up display for military ground personnel.[19]

In January 2013, at CES, Vuzix Corporation demonstrated working models of its new M100 Smart Glasses. The product was given a CES Innovations award.[20] The Vuzix Smart Glasses M100, shipped in the first financial quarter of 2013,[21] enabled wearers to remotely access data and content from an iOS or Android smartphone.

In January 2015, Intel invested $25 million in the company, gaining 30% ownership of the company.[22]

In August 2017, Vuzix and BlackBerry became partners to deliver smart glasses for the enterprise.[23][24]

Innovations

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Video Eyewear

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Augmented Reality Eyewear

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  • In 2010,[26] Vuzix showcased the first commercially produced pass-through augmented reality headset, the Wrap 920AR. The Wrap 920AR was equipped with two VGA video displays and two cameras that provided a live view of the surrounding environment.[27]
  • During the Consumer Electronic Show in 2011, Vuzix announced their transparent AR display prototype, codenamed Raptyr. It was intended to be the first product of its kind.[28] It was never officially released under the Raptyr name, instead being sold as the STAR 1200.[29] The prototype received a CES Innovation Award in 2011.[30]
  • The STAR 1200 was the first mass-produced augmented reality system with a transparent display. It was intended to mimic glasses, and was able to fit over a user's own eyewear in lieu of offering prescription lenses. The display was connected to a user's computer via a VGA or DVI cable. [31]
  • The Vuzix Smart Glasses M100 were commercially released in early 2013. Unlike previous models, the M100 was able to wirelessly connect to mobile devices, and came with an on-board Android OS. [32][33]

See also

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  • MyVu

References

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  1. ^ a b "Corporate Presentation Jan 2021" (PDF).
  2. ^ "About Vuzix Corporation". Archived from the original on 2013-02-17. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  3. ^ "Augmented Reality edges closer to the mainstream - CNET News".
  4. ^ "The Best New Technology - Oprah.com".
  5. ^ "Vuzix and NS Solutions Corporation Partner to Deliver Augmented Reality Solutions for Manufacturing".
  6. ^ "U.S. Navy buys into smart glasses trend in deal with Vuzix". VentureBeat. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  7. ^ "Intel acquires 30% stake in Vuzix, a maker of smart eyewear | KitGuru". www.kitguru.net. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  8. ^ "FORTE VFX-1 HEADGEAR Virtual-Reality system". Museum of Interesting Tech.
  9. ^ "Vuzix to provide additional units for waveguide-based HMD system". 12 August 2022.
  10. ^ "Celebrate the Century - 1990s - No. 10 of 10 - U.S. Postal Service - 2000". Amazon.
  11. ^ "Unofficial VFX3D page". Stereo3D.com.
  12. ^ Hendricks, Veronica. "iCOM Personal Internet Browser". iApplianceWeb.com. Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  13. ^ "Nature Contact - Hitachi Group Pavilion's Ubiquitous Entertainment Ride". Expor2005.or.jp.
  14. ^ "VR Interfaces: Icuiti V920". virtualworldlets.net.
  15. ^ "NDIA Brief" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  16. ^ "Icuiti Changes Name to Vuzix Corporation -- re> ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ --". Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
  17. ^ "Vuzix Star 1200 headset augments your reality, not your bank account". Engadget.com. AOL Tech. 11 June 2011.
  18. ^ "0Vuzix Star 1200: Price and Release Date for Augmented-Reality Glasses".
  19. ^ "Vuzix awarded DARPA development contract for next-gen display technology | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  20. ^ "CES Innovation Awards". January 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-04-03. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  21. ^ Corporation, Vuzix. "Vuzix begins initial shipments of M100 Smart Glasses to Developers". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  22. ^ "Intel Vuzix Investment". 3 January 2015.
  23. ^ "Vuzix teams up with BlackBerry to deliver M300 Smart Glasses to Enterprise customers - Grouvy Today". Grouvy Today. 2017-08-10. Retrieved 2017-11-23.
  24. ^ "Blackberry teams up with Vuzix to deliver smart glasses for the enterprise". TechSource International - Leaders in Technology News. Retrieved 2017-11-23.
  25. ^ McNicholas, Kym. "Take Control in New Ways - Forbes.com". Archived from the original on December 6, 2008.
  26. ^ Yumpu.com. "Wrap 920 AR - Vuzix". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  27. ^ "The Big Idea - Augmented Reality - National Geographic Magazine". Archived from the original on August 29, 2010.
  28. ^ "CES:Clear Glasses to Augment Your Reality - MIT Technology Review".
  29. ^ "Warning: One Of You Will Probably Drop $5k On A Pair Of These - The Secret Product Manager Handbook". 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  30. ^ Yumpu.com. "Press Release 01-05-2011 CES Award-FINAL - Vuzix". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  31. ^ Sterling, Bruce. "Augmented Reality: Vuzix Star 1200". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  32. ^ Corporation, Vuzix. "Vuzix Announces "OS 2.0" Software Update for Its Award-Winning M100 Smart Glasses". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  33. ^ "M100 Smart Glasses Product Guide, Enterprise Edition, English" (PDF). B&H Photo.
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