December 10, 2020 – Mojo Vision (Mojo), developers of the ‘Mojo Lens’ augmented reality (AR) smart contact lens, and Menicon, a Japan-based contact lens manufacturer, have recently announced that both companies have entered into a joint development agreement. According to Mojo, Menicon is dedicated to all areas of contact lens-related business, including material development, lens designing, manufacturing of lenses and care solutions.
Through the agreement, Mojo and Menicon will conduct a series of feasibility studies that tap the expertise of each company — applying Menicon’s experience in rigid gas permeable lens R&D and manufacturing to Mojo’s smart contact lens microelectronics, systems integration and consumer products innovation. Mojo stated that areas of collaboration between the two companies will center around contact lens materials, cleaning, and fitting, among other topics. If the feasibility studies prove successful, Mojo and Menicon may consider a more extensive working relationship in the future.
“Our development agreement with Menicon is a significant step forward for Mojo and Mojo Lens,” said Drew Perkins, CEO and co-founder of Mojo Vision. “While we continue making progress in developing our smart contact lens technology, our collaboration with Menicon will provide us valuable insights that can accelerate our progress. Menicon’s team of seasoned professionals will bring significant contact lens research and development expertise to Mojo. We look forward to a long, productive working relationship.”
“This agreement with Mojo is a key step forward in our expansion of Menicon’s technology initiatives,” commented Dr. Hidenari Tanaka, president of Menicon Co., Ltd. “Menicon has been a pioneer in contact lenses for 70 years, and we constantly strive to improve the quality of life of contact lens wearers worldwide. Mojo is an innovative company with a technology platform and a vision for the future of contact lens wear that aligns with Menicon’s aspirations. We believe that both companies can bring together skill sets and technologies that will support the successful development of a truly breakthrough product.”
Mojo Vision is currently developing the world’s first augmented reality (AR) smart contact lens, called Mojo Lens, backed by scientific research and numerous patents on the technology. Mojo Lens overlays images, symbols and text on users’ natural field of vision without obstructing their view, restricting mobility or hindering social interactions.
Mojo states that it is actively working with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) through its Breakthrough Devices Program, a voluntary program designed to provide safe and timely access to medical devices that can help treat irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions. In April 2020, Mojo announced it had raised more than USD $51 million in a Series B-1 investment round to help further the development of the Mojo Lens, taking the company’s total funding over USD $159 million to date.
Mojo Lens noted that it incorporates a number of breakthroughs and proprietary technologies, including the “smallest and densest dynamic display ever made”, an ultra power-efficient image sensor built for computer vision, a high-bandwidth, low-power wireless radio, and motion sensors for eye tracking and image stabilization. Mojo Lens is still in the research and development phase and is not available for sale anywhere in the world.
For more information on Mojo Vision, please visit the company’s website.
Image credit: Mojo Vision
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Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.