Gentex partners with eSight to focus on advanced digital eyewear

Gentex headed to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas earlier this month with big news. It is partnering with eSight, a leading provider of vision enhancement technology, to develop and manufacture the next generation of mobile electronic eyewear designed to help people living with visual impairments.

The Zeeland-based technology company is a longtime supplier of electro-optical products for the global automotive, aerospace, and fire protection industries. It is best known for supplying nearly every major automaker with connected-car technologies and advanced electronic features that optimize driver vision and enhance driving safety.

Helping to overcome vision loss

“For decades, we’ve used our vision-related capabilities to deliver automotive products that enhance driving safety,” says Neil Boehm, Gentex vice president of engineering and chief technology officer. “We look forward to putting these same competencies to use with eSight as we join forces to help overcome vision loss from macular degeneration and other vision-related challenges.”

Gentex plans to utilize its expertise in digital vision, software development, and industrial design to help eSight develop the next generation of eyewear, with a focus on reducing device size, enhancing its form factor, and optimizing overall system performance.

eSight is the developer of a wearable assistive technology that allows people living with visual impairment to stay on the go while performing the tasks of daily living. The all-in-one medical device improves functional vision for people with more than 20 different eye conditions, often allowing users to achieve visual acuity of 20/20. eSight’s eyewear, which is currently in its fourth iteration, combines a high-definition camera, proprietary algorithms, and powerful processing to capture and project real-time video onto two high-resolution, near-to-eye screens for full binocular vision.

Improving quality of life

“Our device can change lives and improve the quality of life for the millions of people around the world who live with low vision,” said eSight Chief Commercial Officer Brian McCollum. “By harnessing Gentex’s expertise in digital vision technologies, we hope to make our vision enhancement platform even more functional and accessible.”

eSight and other Gentex partnership activities were highlighted in a special Innovation Lab at Gentex’s booth at CES 2022, the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology. This show — which this year ran Jan. 5-7 in Las Vegas — serves as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for more than 50 years.