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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
ProductsM-Series Smart Glasses, Vuzix Blade Smart Glasses, Vuzix Basics Apps
OwnerIntel (15%)
Number of employees
85 total
Websitewww.vuzix.com

Vuzix is an American multinational technology firm headquartered in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1997 by Paul Travers, Vuzix is a leading supplier of Smart-Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies and products for the consumer and enterprise markets. The Company's products include personal display and wearable computing devices that offer users a portable high quality viewing experience, provide solutions for mobility, wearable displays and virtual and augmented reality. Vuzix holds 66 patents and 43 additional patents pending and numerous IP licenses in the near-eye display field.[1]

History

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 and was the first company to deliver consumer virtual reality. 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[2] for Virtual Reality and video gaming applications.

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.[3] The VFX1 was replaced by a higher resolution system dubbed the VFX3D in mid 2000.[4]

In 2001, Vuzix launched its first consumer electronics product, the iCOM personal internet browser.[5]

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.

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.[6]

Also 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 is currently used in many major military programs including the Battlefield Air Operations kit.[7]

A re-branding in 2007 changed the Company's name from Icuiti to Vuzix.[8]

In 2010, Vuzix introduced the first production model see-through augmented reality glasses the STAR 1200.[9] It was released in August 2011 for $4999.[10]

In January 2013, at CES, Vuzix Corporation demonstrated working models of its new M100 Smart Glasses. Rated as one of the five top gadgets expected at CES by CNBC[11] and given the CES Innovations award.[12]

In January 2015, Intel invested $25 million in the company, gaining 30% ownership of the company at the time.[13]

In August 2017, Vuzix and BlackBerry became partners to deliver smart glasses for the enterprise.[14][15]

In December 2017, Vuzix Signed a 3 Year Supply Agreement with Toshiba for Custom M300 Smart Glasses Solution. [16]

In January 2018, Vuzix officially unveiled the Blade Smart Glasses at CES 2018. [17]

In July 2018, Vuzix received a M300 Smart Glasses follow-on order from AMA as conversions from pilots to productive rollouts grow. [18]

In September 2018, Vuzix entered into an agreement with a global aerospace firm to develop a customized commercial avionics waveguide-based HMD system. [19]

In October 2018, Vuzix received a M300 follow-on order from SATS to roll out and outfit ramp handling operations with Smart Glasses at Changi Airport. [20]

In November 2018, Vuzix announced the release of the Vuzix Blade Commercial Edge software suite and companion Apps for iOS and Android. [21]

In January 2019, Vuzix Blade AR Smart Glasses received a CES 2019 Innovation Award for outstanding design and engineering. [22]

Innovations

Video Eyeware

Augmented Reality Eyeware

File:Vuzix AR3000 AugmentedReality SmartGlasses.png
Vuzix AR3000 AugmentedReality SmartGlasse
  • Vuzix created the first commercially produced pass-through augmented reality headset, the Wrap 920AR. The Wrap 920AR has two VGA video displays and two cameras that work together to provide the user a view of the world which blends real world inputs and computer generated data.[24]
  • During the Consumer Electronic Show in 2011, Vuzix announced the Raptyr. The Raptyr is a see-through augmented reality display prototype that will be the first consumer product of its kind when it reaches the market in 2011[needs update].[25]
  • The STAR 1200 is the first see-through augmented reality display to be mass-produced and was scheduled to be released in August 2011.[needs update][26]
  • The Vuzix Smart Glasses M100 were commercially released in late 2013.[27] Vuzix describes the M100 as the world’s first, commercially available, hands free display and cloud connected communications system. The Vuzix M100 contains a virtual display with integrated camera and powerful processing engine, running the Android OS . Users will be able to connect wirelessly to their smartphone (Android-based) or other compatible devices. The M100 is also powerful enough to connect directly to the Internet, run applications and games itself. When connected to a smartphone, users will be able to engage with existing and future applications such as texts, video, email, mapping, and audio. As a hands free accessory with integrated camera/display functionality, Vuzi smart glasses will let users answer the phone with a visual address book and enable applications from text messaging and email to visual navigation (via an integrated GPS and head tracker) along with more advanced features like video recording. The interactive head tracking and integrated HD camera, combined with applications on the M100 and a smartphone linked to the Cloud, empower smartphone based augmented reality applications.[28][29]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Vuzix | About". www.vuzix.com. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  2. ^ "FORTE VFX-1 HEADGEAR Virtual-Reality system". Museum of Interesting Tech.
  3. ^ "Celebrate the Century - 1990s - No. 10 of 10 - U.S. Postal Service - 2000".
  4. ^ "Unofficial VFX3D page". Stereo3D.com.
  5. ^ Hendricks, Veronica. "iCOM Personal Internet Browser". iApplianceWeb.com. Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  6. ^ "VR Interfaces: Icuiti V920". virtualworldlets.net.
  7. ^ "NDIA Brief" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  8. ^ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/icuiti-changes-name-to-vuzix-corporation-57757517.html
  9. ^ "Vuzix Star 1200 headset augments your reality, not your bank account". Engadget.com. AOL Tech.
  10. ^ "0Vuzix Star 1200: Price and Release Date for Augmented-Reality Glasses".
  11. ^ "Five Hot Gadgets Expected at CES 2013". January 2013.
  12. ^ "CES Innovation Awards". January 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-04-09. Retrieved 2013-01-20. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ "Intel Vuzix Investment".
  14. ^ "Vuzix teams up with BlackBerry to deliver M300 Smart Glasses to Enterprise customers - Grouvy Today". Grouvy Today. 2017-08-10. Retrieved 2017-11-23.
  15. ^ "Blackberry teams up with Vuzix to deliver smart glasses for the enterprise". TechSource International - Leaders in Technology News. Retrieved 2017-11-23.
  16. ^ d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net https://d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net/Content/Upload/PDFs/12_07_2017_Toshiba_Supply_Final.pdf. Retrieved 2019-01-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ^ d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net https://d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net/Content/Upload/PDFs/01_05_2018_Vuzix_Blade_Video_Launch_Final.pdf. Retrieved 2019-01-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  18. ^ d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net https://d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net/Content/Upload/PDFs/07_16_2018_Vuzix_AMA_Final.pdf. Retrieved 2019-01-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ^ d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net https://d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net/Content/Upload/PDFs/09_13_2018_Vuzix_Avionics_OEM_Final.pdf. Retrieved 2019-01-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ^ d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net https://d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net/Content/Upload/PDFs/10_9_2018_SATS_Order_PR_Final.pdf. Retrieved 2019-01-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net https://d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net/Content/Upload/PDFs/11_7_2018_Vuzix_Blade_Commercial_Edge_and_Companion_App_Release_Final.pdf. Retrieved 2019-01-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net https://d2iankuf53zudv.cloudfront.net/Content/Upload/PDFs/1_2_2019_Vuzix_Blade_CES_Award_Winner.pdf. Retrieved 2019-01-07. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  23. ^ McNicholas, Kym. "Take Control in New Ways - Forbes.com".
  24. ^ "The Big Idea - Augmented Reality - National Geographic Magazine".
  25. ^ "CES:Clear Glasses to Augment Your Reality - MIT Technology Review".
  26. ^ "Vuzix Star 1200 headset augments your reality, not your bank account". Engadget.com. 2011-06-11.
  27. ^ "Future goggles: Eyes-on with Vuzix M100 Smart Glasses".
  28. ^ "Vuzix Unveils its M100 Smart Glasses at International Consumer Electronics Show" (PDF). January 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-01-24. Retrieved 2013-01-25. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "Our Wearable of the Week: Vuzix M100". July 2015.
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