Vuzix, a supplier of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technology, and Materialise NV, a 3D printing pioneer, have joined forces to accelerate the design and production of smart eyewear.  

By integrating 3D printing into the manufacture of innovative products, the partners aim to reduce time-to-market from 18 months to just three months. Moreover, the collaboration will enable third-party technology, sports and entertainment brands to introduce functional, fashionable and affordable smart eyewear to consumers using Vuzix’s components and designs. 

Consumer adoption of smart eyewear has been limited due to the lack of compelling consumer applications and the lack of fashionable and affordable designs, the pair said. The partners said their capacity to rapidly develop innovations such as on-screen speed and heart rate displays for athletes, push notifications and navigation, speech-to-text translation and AR gaming is what many tech, fashion, entertainment and sports companies lack.  

“The collaboration between Vuzix and Materialise can provide third-party original equipment manufacturer companies with a flexible platform for producing smart eyewear with creative designs, rapid prototyping services, and fast and flexible production of small series,” they said.